Alexis Sánchez life and biography

Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez (born on 19 December 1988 in Tocopilla, Chile) is a Chilean football player, who plays as a winger, forward or Attacking midfielder. He is known as "El Niño Maravilla" (the Wonder Boy). Sánchez was named by World Soccer Magazine as one of the '50 most exciting teenagers in the world game'.

He began his professional career with the Chilean club Cobreloa. He played one season there before being signed by the Serie A team, Udinese. Udinese had to pay nearly $3 million for his signature. Colo-Colo then paid Udinese nearly $150,000 for his services in the upcoming Clausura tournament and the following Apertura tournament in the Liga Chilena.

He scored his first goal with Colo-Colo in the Copa Sudamericana 2006 against the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense on October 10 2006 in David Arellano Stadium.

On 15 August 2007 he was signed to River Plate on loan. Sanchez went on to win the 2008 Torneo Clausura with River Plate, he then strongly impressed in the 2008 Copa Revancha final against arch rivals Boca Juniors, in the Superclásico, when he dribbled past all five players of the Boca Juniors defence only to be tackled in the penalty box, thus, a penalty was awarded to River Plate.

On 22 July 2008 he was greeted as a new reinforcement for Udinese, where he got together with his fellow partner in 2007 South American Youth Championship, Mauricio Isla, and Nicolás Corvetto. The young player became popular with Udinese's fans, because of his trickery. On 8 February 2009 he scored a clinical last minute winner against Bologna.

International career

At the young age of seventeen, Sánchez has played for the Chilean national team on several different occasions. He debuted when the international team took on Universidad Católica. He made his official debut when he played in a friendly game against New Zealand in Chile on 27 April 2006, coming on as a 58th minute substitute for Juan Lorca.

Prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the Chilean National Team went on a tour in Europe playing three friendlies. They played Ireland, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sweden. Sánchez played significant minutes in all three games impressing scouts.

Despite scoring only one goal in the 2007 South American Youth Championship, Sánchez proved to be a vital part of the Chilean national team that went on to qualify for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. During the tournament Sánchez had numerous chances and created opportunities for others.

Sánchez is a starting player for the national team that qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, scoring 2 goals in Chile's 4-0 victory over Bolivia.

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