Alexis Sanchez could never be accused of forgetting his roots.
The Chilean striker is eyeing up a strong finish to a Premier League season that started so well. Still, he found time to hook up his old hometown of Tocopilla up with two new football pitches.
In an interview for the Arsenal website, Sanchez said:
“I built two football pitches because I wanted young kids to have a decent pitch to play on, because I didn’t have one when I was younger.
“I’m lucky because I’ve had the opportunity to leave the country and play football, but it’s a small town and opportunities are not common.”
Sanchez explains that one of the key motivations for sorting out the pitch installations is to steer young people away from alcohol and drugs.
“When I’m there,” he said, “I try to set up events where I play with the kids and try to boost them. Every time I go I try to set up events and get gifts just to see the smiles on small children’s faces.
“I honestly believe that children are the most important thing in the world. They learn from adults and it’s very important to be good role models.”
Top lad.
