World Cup 2014: Player profile - Alexis Sanchez, the Chile forward

Counting down the 100 players to look out for in Brazil this summer

Staff
Friday 04 April 2014 19:26 BST
Comments
Alexis Sanchez of Chile
Alexis Sanchez of Chile

The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past, but who will be the star of the show?

With 73 days to go until things kick-off, check out our latest instalment of 100 players to look out for at the competition below.

73. Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

The Chilean forward who terrorised England at the back end of last year in Chile’s 2-0 win at Wembley is enjoying his finest season yet in Barcelona colours, leading the goal scoring charts ahead of Lionel Messi and summer signing Neymar with 16. After signing from Udinese for a fee nearing £29m in 2011, he’s gone on to score a goal nearly every two games, with 36 in 76 appearances.

Although he has often displayed his immense qualities in title-winning campaigns at the Nou Camp, he has only recently begun to fulfil his incredible potential internationally after making his debut almost eight years ago against New Zealand. He helped his country to a World Cup finals place in 2010 where they progressed through a tough group before succumbing to fellow South Americans Brazil.

This time around, he bagged four goals in his nations qualifying campaign taking his tally to 22 goals in 65 caps. His emergence as a potent finisher – best displayed by his winner in El Clasico earlier this season – has seen Chile touted as potential World Cup winners in Brazil 2014, despite being drawn in a ‘Group of Death’ amongst defending champions Spain, 2010 runners-up the Netherlands and an ever-improving Australian side.

Did you know? Sanchez has a street named after him in his hometown of Tocopilla

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in