One of the most aesthetically pleasing sights in football is the on-ball wizardry and lethal dribbling from an attacker: quick feet, the slick one-touch passing, clever flicks, agility, and the explosiveness to dribble with pace and power to bamboozle the defenders.
One player who honed the aforementioned attributes in his pomp days is Alexis Sanchez, who weaves in and out of defences like nobody else.
Born on December 19, 1988, in Tocopilla, Chile, Sanchez is a professional footballer known for his exceptional skills and versatility on the field. He has played for several top European clubs and the Chilean national team, leaving a significant mark on the footballing world thanks to his goals, assists, and playmaking ability.
Sanchez began his professional career at the tender age of 17 with the Chilean club Cobreloa in 2005. His impressive performances attracted attention from abroad, and he was soon snapped up by Serie A outfit Udinese, but was immediately sent out on loan to Chilean outfit Colo Colo.
Next up was a loan to Argentinean giants River Plate, and after another successful season he was ready to play for Udinese. He made his debut for Udinese in 2008 and quickly established himself as a key player.
His deadly speed, dribbling ability, and eye for goal earned him a high-profile move to Barcelona, one of the world's most prestigious clubs in the summer of 2011 as he joined a star-studded team that featured the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta. During his three seasons at Barcelona, Sanchez won numerous titles, including the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Super Cup.
In 2014, Sanchez made another significant move, this time to the Premier League, joining Arsenal. He took to the new environment like a duck to water, and became an instant fan favourite at the London club, known for his relentless work rate, technical skills, and goalscoring prowess.
Sanchez was at the heart of everything positive for the Gunners during his time at Arsenal, which was marked by individual brilliance, with him being the driving force behind the team's success.
He played a crucial role in Arsenal's back-to-back FA Cup triumphs in 2014 and 2015. His dazzling performances earned him the PFA Fans Player of the Year award in 2015. His exceptional performances at Arsenal drew the attention of Manchester United, and in January 2018, he completed a high-profile transfer to the Mancunian giants in a controversial swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan head to Arsenal.
However, Sanchez's career took a downward turn, marred by injuries and inconsistent form, managing just five goals and nine assists in 45 games.
Three years at Inter Milan followed in which he helped them win their first Serie A title in more than a decade in the 2020-2021 season, ending Juventus' nine-year dominance. Then in August, he joined Marseille on a two-year deal after his Inter contract was terminated.
And the 34-year-old has reinvented himself on the Mediterranean coast, and rediscover his best form, currently sitting on a double digit goals tally for the Ligue 1 side so far this season.
When it comes to his international career, Sanchez's time with the Chilean national team has also been highly successful. He has represented Chile in several Copa America tournaments, where he played a pivotal role in the team's success.
He has played an instrumental role in helping Chile to reach the final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Later he helped his side to achieve their first international victory at the 2015 Copa America, scoring the winning penalty in the final against Argentina.
Having gone through Sanchez's whole footballing journey so far, it goes without mentioning, he has showcased his ability to perform on the big stage and delivered when it mattered most for club and country, but what are some of the most interesting facts about the Chilean that you absolutely must know?