Inter veteran Alexis Sanchez named his footballing idol in the build-up to his side’s home encounter against promoted Serie A rivals Frosinone. Despite his relatively sparse playing time since returning to Giuseppe Meazza in the summer, the Chilean is a die-hard Nerazzurri, and worshiping the club’s former star may have plenty to do with it.
Sanchez identified Ronaldo, the ‘Phenomenon,’ as his childhood role model. Like the 34-year-old, the Brazilian legend plied his trade at Inter for five years between 1997-2002 en route to earning worldwide fame and eventually a blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid.
And according to Sanchez, watching Ronaldo’s skills on the ball left a more telling impression than witnessing Lionel Messi’s brilliance.
“Ronaldo the Phenomenon for me is the number 1 in the world,” the Inter forward said, as quoted by Calciomercato. “I have played with many strong players. I have seen Messi up close, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, but he is something else.
“When he did that feint and went a thousand miles an hour, it was incredible, a beautiful thing to see in football.”
Sanchez also paid tribute to another Inter icon, who used to share the spotlight with Ronaldo back in the day.
“Then I can’t fail to mention [Ivan] Zamorano. We both come from Chile, and I’ve always liked his determination.“
After starting the Champions League game against RB Salzburg, Sanchez will probably drop to the bench tonight as Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is more likely to partner Marcus Thuram in the attack.
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