10 fun facts about Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez embarked on his professional journey at the tender age of 17 when he joined the Chilean club Cobreloa in 2005. His exceptional performances caught the attention of international clubs, leading to his signing with Serie A team Udinese. However, he was immediately loaned out to Colo Colo, a Chilean outfit.

Following a successful loan spell, he was then loaned to the Argentinean giants River Plate. After another impressive season, Sanchez was finally ready to represent Udinese. In 2008, he made his debut for Udinese and swiftly established himself as a vital player. His remarkable speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability attracted the interest of Barcelona, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.

In the summer of 2011, Sanchez joined a star-studded team that included renowned players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta. Throughout his three seasons at Barcelona, Sanchez achieved numerous titles, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Super Cup triumphs.

In 2014, Sanchez made a significant move to the Premier League, signing with Arsenal. He quickly adapted to his new surroundings and became a beloved figure among the fans at the London club. Known for his tireless work ethic, technical abilities, and goal-scoring prowess, Sanchez played a crucial role in Arsenal’s achievements during his time there.

His individual brilliance was evident, as he was the driving force behind the team’s success. Notably, he played a key part in Arsenal’s consecutive FA Cup victories in 2014 and 2015. His outstanding performances earned him the prestigious PFA Fans Player of the Year award in 2015. Manchester United took notice of his exceptional displays at Arsenal, leading to a high-profile transfer in January 2018, which involved a controversial swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Following his stint at Manchester United, Sanchez spent three successful years at Inter Milan, where he played a vital role in their Serie A triumph in the 2020-2021 season, ending Juventus’ nine-year dominance. After his contract with Inter was terminated, he joined Marseille in August on a two-year agreement. Sanchez’s international career with the Chilean national team has also been highly fruitful. He has been a key figure in several Copa America tournaments, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Here are a few fun facts about him.

1. He had a tough upbringing

Sanchez’s upbringing was far from glamorous, despite his later extravagant lifestyle and high wages. Growing up in the poverty-stricken mining town of Tocopilla in Chile, he faced numerous challenges. At a young age, his father abandoned the family, leaving his mother, Martina, to raise him and his three siblings on her own. With limited resources, Martina worked tirelessly, taking on multiple jobs such as home-cleaning and selling fish and flowers to make ends meet.

Even as a young boy of six, Sanchez began earning money to contribute to the family’s finances. In order to pursue his dream of becoming a footballer, he eventually moved to his uncle’s house.

2. His first pair of football boots was a gift frok a mayor

Sanchez honed his skills, cunning, and football finesse on the gritty roads of Tocopilla. It soon became evident that he possessed immense potential and was gearing up for multiple club trials. However, his mother faced financial constraints and couldn’t afford to buy him a good pair of football boots. As a result, she approached the city’s mayor, Aleksander Kurtovic, for assistance.

He said, “My mother went to speak to him to ask whether he could find me some boots as I never stopped playing and I wasn’t such a bad player,” Sanchez told AS in 2014. “One day he showed up at our house with a pair of football boots. I can’t explain how happy and thrilled I was! I couldn’t believe it!”

3. He idolises Marcelo Salas

Sanchez holds Marcelo Salas in high regard, admiring his successful career as an attacking forward for various clubs such as Universidad de Chile, River Plate, and Lazio. Salas concluded his playing days at Universidad de Chile, the very club that Sanchez supported during his formative years.

Salas also made a significant impact on the Chilean national team, earning the nickname “El Matador” for his exceptional ability to score goals. In September 2007, Sanchez had the incredible opportunity to share the field with his idol, as they both featured as strikers for the Chile national team in a 2-0 friendly triumph over Austria in Vienna.

4. His nickname is ‘The Wonder Child’ and ‘dilla’

Sanchez is famously known as “El Nino Maravilla (The Wonder Child)”, a befitting moniker for the talented Chilean who has achieved remarkable success at a young age. Additionally, he possesses another amusing nickname. In his earlier days, Sanchez displayed exceptional climbing skills, maneuvering through narrow lanes and scaling trees to retrieve misplaced balls during street games. Coupled with his relatively petite height of 5′ 6″ and his boundless energy on the field, he earned the nickname ‘Dilla,’ derived from the Spanish word for squirrel, “ardilla.”

5. He loves dogs

Based on Alexis’ Instagram account, it is evident that he has a strong affection for dogs. He owns two delightful Golden Retrievers named Atom and Humber, who even have their own Instagram accounts. Alexis frequently shares posts of himself dressing them up, cuddling with them, and has even been spotted wearing t-shirts featuring their adorable faces.

Not only that, but he also involves his furry companions in his training routine, taking them for runs as part of his warm-up. Additionally, during the lockdown in May 2020, Alexis joyfully welcomed two adorable puppies into his family.

6. Most expensive Chilean player of all time

Sanchez’s transfer from Udinese to Barcelona in 2011, valued at €37.5m with additional bonuses, established him as the highest-priced Chilean player ever. This fee easily surpassed the €28.5m that Juventus had paid Lazio a decade earlier for striker Marcelo Salas.

However, Sanchez later exceeded this record when he moved from Barcelona to Arsenal in a €42.5m deal. The closest transfer in terms of value to Sanchez’s record-breaking move was Arturo Vidal’s transfer from Juventus to Bayern Munich in 2015, which was reported to be around €39.25m.

7. A statue in his honour

Sanchez is widely revered as a national hero. Throughout his career, he represented Chile 132 times, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. In 2015, Sanchez led his team to victory in the Copa America, securing their first major silverware. His iconic winning penalty against Messi’s Argentina in the final will forever be remembered.

The following year, he captained Chile to another remarkable triumph at the Centenario edition of the tournament, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. With an impressive record of 153 caps and 51 goals, Sanchez holds the title of both his country’s all-time appearance-maker and leading goalscorer for La Roja.

His exceptional achievements place him among the greatest Chilean players of all time, a distinction made even more significant considering the presence of legendary figures such as Salas and Ivan Zamorano. It is no surprise that a statue has been erected in his honor in his hometown of Tocopilla.

8. A philanthropist

Sanchez is undoubtedly revered as a hero by the people of Tocopilla, not only for his remarkable achievements on behalf of the nation, but also for his unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. Growing up, Sanchez would fearlessly play football on the dusty fields of his hometown, without even the luxury of proper footwear.

It was in these humble surroundings that he cultivated the exceptional skills that have defined his illustrious career. Despite his global success, Sanchez remains deeply connected to his roots, consistently demonstrating his gratitude by sending clothing, books, and Christmas presents to disadvantaged children.

Moreover, he generously contributed nearly half a million dollars towards the restoration of local youth pitches, ensuring that future generations have a dedicated space to nurture their talents and follow in his inspiring footsteps.

9. Loves to play piano

Uncovering the hidden talents and hobbies of athletes beyond their involvement in football is truly captivating. One athlete who exemplifies this is Sanchez, who has a remarkable talent for playing the piano. He has shared numerous videos on his social media platforms, showcasing his impressive piano skills.

A notable performance was in 2015 when he delivered an exceptional rendition of John Legend’s “All of Me” and mesmerized the audience with Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting” during the Arsenal Christmas party. Additionally, when he arrived at Old Trafford, he made a grand entrance by performing a stirring version of “Glory, Glory Man United” on the piano, much to the disappointment of Arsenal fans.

10. Love for supercars

Sanchez dedicates a significant portion of his income to his deep passion for supercars. Within his impressive collection, he possesses a Lamborghini Huracan, a Bentley Bentayga, a Bentley Continental GT, an Audi R8, and a Range Rover Sport. In addition to his automotive treasures, he also possesses properties in Barcelona, the United Kingdom, Milan, and Chile.

Recent reports from The Sun reveal that the Marseille forward has expanded his real estate portfolio with the acquisition of a beachfront condo near Miami. According to The Real Deal, a reputable South Florida real estate source, the Chilean footballer invested nearly $2.5 million in this luxurious Sunny Isles Beach apartment.