Thiago Alcantara is one of world football’s most technical and creative midfielder. He was instrumental in a Bayern Munich side which won a historic treble for the 19-20 COVID hit season.
The midfielder is known for orchestrating the centre of the park and has the vision to pick an inch perfect pass to split the defence. His eye to dominate centre lines has earned him plaudits time and again. The Spanish Maestro sealed a move to Merseyside based Liverpool FC at the start of the season after denying a contract extension with the Bavarians which ended in an emotional goodbye. The Reds were delighted to welcome such a prolific signing to Anfield and the Italy-born Spaniard has shown some glimpses of his ever-so-perfect gameplay. Some of the unknown facts on the Spaniards are as below:
1. Son of Brazilian Legend Mazinho
Thiago Alcantara is the Son of Brazilian great Mazinho who along with another Brazilian Superstar, Bebeto, is known for his iconic celebration in the 1994 Fifa World Cup. Mazinho helped Brazil win the ’94 World Cup and also played a part in a Copa America Winning team of 1989. Mazinho has greatly influenced the midfielder’s playing career, who himself was a deep lying utility midfielder who occasionally operated in fullback roles. Thiago has also been seen to switch between attacking and holding roles with being a defensive ploy in some cases. Like Father like Son!
2. Italy Born Spaniard!
Born in Italy’s, San Pietro Vernotico to Father Mazinho and Valeria Alcantara, a Brazilian Volleyball player on 11th April 1991, Thiago is the elder of the two Alcantara brothers who were a part of Pep Guardiola elite Barcelona squad of 2008-2012 era. The Spaniard comes from a sporting family and has always been inclined to play for the beautiful game. Thiago holds a dual Brazil-Spanish citizenship because of his Father.
3. Brother Rafinha Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara’s younger brother Rafinha is also a professional football player, who also started his playing career with Barcelona and represents the Brazilian National Team. This makes the pair one of the unique sibling pair who represent different National sides with Thiago playing for La Roja. The two played together for four years before Thiago said goodbye to the Catalans to seal a move to another Pep Guardiola managed side Bayern Munich. The two have had a bond since their La Masia days when the two played together with another Spanish player, Rodrigo who is their cousin. Rodrigo plays for another premier League club, Leeds United. All Sporting Family!
4. Played for two Generational Managers!
Thiago Alcantara has played under some extremely talented Managers of world football, Pep Guardiola and now post his move to Liverpool, even Jurgen Klopp. This makes him one of the only six players to play for two of the most influential managers. His eye to pick a pass was polished and perfected in a Guardiola reign and only time will tell how the Spanish maestro’s game will improve under Klopp.
5. Married to Julia Vigas
Thiago married his girlfriend Julia Vigas in ceremony on 27th June 2015 in Sant Climent de Peralta, Catalonia. Julia Vigas is a part resort owner of the famous the Terramar in Costa Brava, Spain.
She moved with Thiago to Munich back in 2013, a move which saw the Spaniard’s game reach new highs. She is a University Graduate in Marketing and Communications. She has been spotted several times wearing her Beau’s number 6 jersey and also enjoying beer during Oktoberfest. She attends selected games with Thiago and the two have a son, Gabriel and a daughter named Siene. It was rumoured that she pushed Thiago for a move back to Nou Camp, but Thiago had other intentions and headed to England to work under Jurgen Klopp.
6. Just so Human!
Some years back, Thiago, said he relishes family time and loves to watch Robert Downey Junior or one from his favourite actress, the stunning Mila Kunis. He is interested in some political views as well, with a strong following for US president Donald Trump. He does not believe in religion. He loves having some delicious Risotto and Pizza to accompany his occasional beer. The midfielder sports some tattoos on his body, with one of his son Gabriel.
7. Stunning Trophy Cabinet!
The Spanish Midfielder has an amazing trophy cabinet to his name with laurels from both his academy days as well as his professional career. He has won trophies in both the Blaugrana and Bavarian jerseys and eyes to add to the silverware in his time at Anfield, England. He has won 2 La Liga titles with Barcelona, one in his breakthrough 2009 season and then again in 2011. He also won the Copa Del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa with the great Lionel Messi in 2011.
The Central midfield player was also a part of the Pep Guardiola coached Treble winning side of 2011, albeit in a Squad rotation role. He has won a whopping 7 consecutive Bundesliga Titles with Bayern Munich since 2013, along with 4 DFB Pokal (German version of the FA Cup) Trophies and 3 DFB Supercup wins. He also won the Fifa Club World Cup back in 2013 with Bayern playing with the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phillip Lahm. The UEFA Champions League win in Lisbon, 2020, was the final trophy for the Spaniard during his days with Bayern Munich, where he played a pivotal part to seal another treble for Bayern.
The Spanish Genius also has a U17 European Championship win with Spain from 2008. He was a part of the Talented Spanish U21 side that won two consecutive European U21 Championships in 2011 and then again in 2013. He was awarded the Golden Player award for the U21 European Championships in 2013 where was the 2nd highest goalscorer. He was also nominated for Europe’s Men’s best player for 2019-20.
8. Drives some super fast Cars!
Thiago Alcantara loves driving some of the world most Elite wheels and sports a collection of some amazing cars. He owns an Audi RS7, one of the perks for being a part of Bayern Munich Squad. He also owns a Ferrari and a BMW, well maintained in his hometown in Italy. He fancies speed and loves to take a drive one of the super racy cars.
9. 2020 Liverpool move.
Once named as an “Extra ordinary talent” by Barcelona Legend Xavi Hernandez, Thiago was subject to a lot of potential interest from Europe’s top clubs during the Champions Leagues legs in Lisbon. His existing contract was running till 2021 and European Powerhouses took notice of it. Manchester United, Barcelona, Liverpool and probably even Italian Giants Juventus were up for his services. Then came a period of negotiations with the Bayern board and Chief, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Bayern were reportedly ready to offer the playmaker a new improved contract but with increased competition in Bayern midfield ranks as the likes of Kimmich, Goretzka, Tollisso and club Stalwart Javi Martinez were still up for places. But by then, the midfielder had made up his mind to move to greener pastures in search for a different role and felt English football offered him that. Liverpool were in interested in the Spaniard as midfielder Gini Wijnaldum was reported interested in a move to Barcelona. The sequence of events ended after Liverpool placed an official bid to secure the services of creative genius in Thiago. The bid was for an initial 5m Euros with instalments of 5m Euros each in the next 4 years. The bid was subject to an additional bonuses of a reported 5m Euros for winning the UEFA Champions League or probably even the Premier League in the coming years. The midfielder flew to Liverpool and put pen to paper to finalise his dream move to English Football and signed a deal running till the year 2024.
10. Bestfriends with Mats Hummels
The midfielder is very close friends with defender and then Bayern Munich-now Borussia Dortmund player Mats Hummels.
He was seen a few times on vacations with the defender during off season and used to enjoy his company.
The creatively gifted player is also close friends with Marc Bartra, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and even ex-Red Mario Balotelli.
Mario Balotelli photobombing an Interview post an international friendly between Italy and Spain. Don’t change Mario!
11. Market Value and Net Worth.
The Midfielder had a career high market value of 60m Pounds during the seasons of 17-18 and 18-19 after a successful display of his sheer technique and ability on the ball and the vision to pick a plump pass. The midfielder moved to the Allianz Arena for a reported 25m Euros back in 2013 and his value upped during the latter stages of his career there. The midfielder has an estimated net worth of 24 million dollars in 2020 including his investments and properties across Europe. The Midfielder is endorses products by Nike.
