19 November 2023 , 10:44
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Alexis Sanchez might have endured a nightmare move to Manchester United during his career but now the forward is literally dealing with bog-standard facilities at international level.
Chile's latest poor showing, a 0-0 home draw with Paraguay leaves them up battling the tide to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. However, it wasn't performances and teammates the 34-year-old lamented afterwards, but more so a situation the side had to endure in the changing rooms.
Sanchez made a harrowing admission about the Juan Pinto Duran Sports Complex and Colo-Colo Stadium. And it would be apt to suggest the former FA Cup winner with Arsenal thinks the situation stinks.
"In Juan Pinto Duran there are three showers and they don't work," he told reporters. "You have to wait for the other person to shower. At the Colo-Colo stadium I was sitting stretching and excrement from ourselves in the shower came out of the drain."
Sanchez remains a cult hero with fans in his native country after contributing to Copa America glory in both 2015 and 2016. But few can blame him for baulking at such circumstances given the venues he's graced in his club career.
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Sanchez rose to prominence after joining Barcelona in 2011, winning a La Liga crown before switching to the Gunners three years later. He lit up north London for four seasons before an ill-fated move to Manchester United.
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But stints at Inter Milan and then Marseille revitalised his career. He's now rejoined the Champions League finalists despite being heavily linked to Inter Miami, and a reunion with Lionel Messi.
Chile's next game comes away to Ecuador on Tuesday. And irrespective of the state of the showers, Sanchez and co desperately need to bounce back with three points.
La Roja currently lie eighth in the table as they bid to reach the event in America, Canada and Mexico, with just five points from an many matches. And it's almost inevitable that their qualification campaign signals the last one for Sanchez, who will be 36 by the time the tournament comes around.