Amazing story about Alexis his childhood (written in 2011):
His father left when he was a baby. That's why he doesn't want Sánchez on the back of his shirt.
Afterwards, his uncle, Jose Delaigue, helped his family as a 'stepfather'. Alexis is very thankful.
At just 12 years-old he scored 8 goals in a match at a 14-year-old's tournament. He played on borrowed shoes until the mayor gave him shoes.
At the age of 15 he was scouted by Chilean club Cobreloa. A year later Udinese picked him up and loaned him to Colo Colo & River Plate (2).
After his first salary, he built a house for Jose and his mother and sisters and gave clothes to the children in his home town.
They've still got his pictures hanging on their school walls. Sadly, even though Alexis paid medical care, Jose passed away in May, 2011.
Alexis' had a tough youth, poverty, forced child labour, playing on borrowed shoes and living in the shadow of his brother, Humberto.
Nothing but respect for Alexis. He always fights, as if he's still a child fighting poverty.