SANTIAGO – A life-size statue of Chilean footballer Alexis Sanchez has been erected in his home city of Tocopilla, in northern Chile, depicting his trademark pre-free-kick pose; hands on hips, short leg rolled up.
The Arseanal striker was also there to unveil his statue, created by Marco Vergara.
The Arseanal striker over the weekend discovered a colourful depiction of himself in his national team’s kit on a plinth with replica versions of the Copa America and the Copa America’s golden ball next to him.
Alexis Sanchez unveiled a statue of himself in his hometown, depicting his trademark pre-free-kick pose; hands on hips, short leg rolled up. pic.twitter.com/PIZ4LHElt4
— Arsenal Pics (@Arsepics) March 25, 2017
Also on show were giant crests of the teams he has represented: Cobreloa, Udinese, Colo-Colo, River Plate, Barcelona and Arsenal.
The ceremony took place just two days after Chile lost to Argentina and Sanchez threw another epic tantrum.
He reportedly left the following message after cutting the ceremonial ribbon: “Never feel sad because someone tells you [that] you can’t do something in your life. If you have a dream you have to protect it.”
Hoy a las 18:00 , inauguración de mi Estatua en mi querido Tocopilla
Gracias a todas las personas que hicieron posible este reconocimiento. pic.twitter.com/briw2MSYa4— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) March 24, 2017
Later on, the footballer took to Twitter to thank “all the people who made this recognition possible”.