Alexis Sanchez’s iconic moments for Barcelona, Arsenal and Chile
- Dan Barnes
- 28 January 2021
Barcelona, Arsenal and Chile have all experienced the sublime talent that is Alexis Sanchez. He might have lost his way in recent seasons but there’s no doubt he has lit up the soccer world.
Some players have the 'it' factor - a flair that makes it impossible to take your eyes off them - and Alexis Sanchez certainly ticks that box.
The Chilean dazzled fans with his quick feet and sublime finishing during his time at Barcelona, and continued to shine after making the move to England. His high level of performances at Arsenal means he will go down as one of the Premier League greats.
While the past few seasons have been difficult for Sanchez, Planet Sport is here to remind you what a brilliant career he's had.
First Barca goal
After an impressive spell with Udinese, Sanchez joined Spanish giants Barcelona for €26million in the summer of 2011.
It didn't take the forward long to score his first goal for the club, finding the net in a 5-0 thrashing of Villareal. It was a goal that summed up Sanchez's style, using his speed to get in behind the defence before providing a cool finish across the goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, the Chilean's first season in La Liga was hampered by injury. However, he did manage a goal in a 3-1 win over rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and a brace against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League - his first goals in Europe.
Breaking records in La Liga
The 2012-13 season was a special one for Barcelona fans.
Tito Vilanova's men won La Liga with a remarkable 100 points, equalling Real Madrid's record under Jose Mourinho. Barca also finished the campaign with 115 goals, surpassing their club-record set 12 months prior under Pep Guardiola.
Sanchez finished the season with eight goals and 10 assists from 29 league appearances. The forward's La Liga winners' medal is arguably the biggest honour of his career to date, having also won league titles in Argentina and Chile.
That goal in El Clasico
El Clasico is perhaps the most iconic fixture in the footballing world.
Early in the 2013/14 season, Sanchez scored the winner as Barca beat Real Madrid 2-1 at Camp Nou in a memorable game. It was a goal worthy of the occasion, with the forward cutting inside and catching out Diego Lopez with a brilliant chip from outside the box.
Sanchez went on to score 21 goals in all competitions that season - the best return of his career so far. He also assisted 16 goals, proving he deserved to be recognised as one of the best players on the planet.
Winning the FA Cup
After an impressive showing at the 2014 World Cup, Arsenal manager Arsene Wegner splashed out £35million to bring Sanchez to the Premier League.
The forward's first season in English football ended with silverware, with the Gunners winning the FA Cup following an emphatic 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the final. Sanchez got on the scoresheet with a stunning strike from 25 yards that gave Shay Given absolutely no chance.
The Chilean was named the club's Player of the Year, with 25 goals and 12 assists.
International glory
Sanchez is a legend in Chile, having scored more than 40 goals in over 100 appearances for the national side. He even has a statue in his hometown of Tocopilla.
The forward's best moment on the international stage came in the final of the 2015 Copa America, when he scored the winning penalty after a tense final against Argentina.
It was Chile's first major trophy and meant even more given the tournament took place on home soil.
Sanchez impressed throughout the tournament, putting in a man of the match performance against Uruguay in the quarterfinal.
Chile also went on to win the Copa America Centario 12 months later and the forward was again vital to his nation's success, winning the Golden Ball award thanks to his superb form.
