Alex Sandro

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29 Mar 2024

Alex Sandro

Alex Sandro Lobo da Silva, born on January 26, 1991, is a prominent Brazilian footballer renowned for his proficiency as a left-back. He currently plies his trade for Serie A giants Juventus and is a key member of the Brazil national team.
Beginning his professional career with Atletico Paranaense, Alex Sandro showcased his talent early on. He later embarked on a loan spell with Santos, further honing his skills and gaining valuable experience. In 2011, he made a significant move to Porto, with the Portuguese club securing his services for €9.6 million. During his time at Porto, he formed a formidable defensive partnership with his compatriot Danilo, who played as a right-back.

Alex Sandro made a high-profile transfer to Juventus, a move that elevated his status in European football. With the Italian powerhouse, he enjoyed immense success, clinching the domestic double in his first three seasons. Subsequently, he played a pivotal role in securing two more consecutive Serie A titles over the following two years, solidifying Juventus' dominance in Italian football.
On the international stage, Alex Sandro has represented Brazil with distinction, earning 40 caps for the national team. His journey with the Brazilian squad includes notable achievements at the youth level, where he played a crucial role in winning both the South American Youth Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011. He later transitioned to the senior team and was an integral part of the Brazil squad that emerged victorious in the 2019 Copa América, showcasing his prowess on the grandest stage of South American football.

Alex Sandro's early career with Atletico Paranaense was marked by significant achievements and promising performances. His standout displays in the youth setup caught the attention of the senior team's coaching staff, leading to his first call-up to the senior side in October 2008.
Making his senior debut in the Brasileiro, Alex Sandro showcased his talent and potential. Despite limited playing time initially, he continued to impress with his skills and versatility on the pitch.
Alex Sandro played a crucial role in Atletico's success in the Campeonato Paranaense, contributing to their championship triumph. Throughout the season, he featured prominently in the team's campaign, demonstrating his ability to make an impact on the field.

One of the highlights of his early career was his first goal for Atletico Paranaense, scored on 25 January against Rio Branco. His goal, characterized by skillful maneuvering past the goalkeeper, showcased his technical prowess and attacking instincts.
By October 2009, Alex Sandro had become a regular fixture in the Brasileiro, featuring in multiple matches and accumulating valuable playing time. His consistent performances earned him recognition within the club and among fans, setting the stage for a promising career ahead.

Alex Sandro's arrival at Juventus in August 2015 marked the beginning of a successful chapter in his career. Joining the Serie A champions for a significant fee of €26 million, he quickly established himself as a key player in the team's lineup.
His debut for Juventus came on 12 September 2015 in a Serie A match against Chievo, where the team secured a 1–1 draw at home. Despite the club experiencing a challenging start to the season and finding themselves in the bottom half of the table by late October, Alex Sandro's presence on the field played a crucial role in the team's resurgence.

In subsequent matches, Alex Sandro showcased his versatility and skill, contributing assists and goals to Juventus' campaign. He provided assists to Paulo Dybala in a Serie A victory over AC Milan and to Mario Mandžukić in a UEFA Champions League win against Manchester City, helping secure the club's progression to the round of 16 in the competition.
On 17 January 2016, Alex Sandro scored his first goal for Juventus in Serie A, finding the back of the net in a 4–0 away victory over Udinese. However, his season was briefly interrupted by an injury to his left thigh, which sidelined him for ten days and caused him to miss the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Bayern Munich.

Despite his absence in the first leg, Alex Sandro returned for the second leg in Munich, putting on a strong individual performance despite Juventus' eventual elimination from the competition. Nevertheless, he concluded his debut season with Juventus on a high note, winning both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia, contributing to the team's success with his consistent performances on the pitch.

Despite facing a setback with an own goal in a match against Genoa, Alex Sandro continued to impress for Juventus in the following season. His consistent performances led to him displacing Patrice Evra as the starting left-back, with Evra eventually departing for Marseille in January 2017.
Throughout the season, Alex Sandro became one of the most utilized players under coach Massimiliano Allegri, making 43 appearances across various competitions, showcasing his durability and importance to the team. He also demonstrated improvement in his attacking contributions, scoring three goals in Serie A as Juventus secured their third consecutive league and cup double.

However, the season ended in disappointment for Alex Sandro and Juventus as they fell short in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. Despite playing a pivotal role in Mario Mandžukić's goal with a crucial assist, Alex Sandro and his teammates ultimately succumbed to a 4–1 defeat. Nevertheless, his performances throughout the Champions League campaign, particularly in the quarter-finals against Barcelona, where he helped neutralize the threat of Lionel Messi, were crucial in Juventus' journey to the final.

Alex Sandro's journey in football began within the illustrious youth setup of Atlético Paranaense, which has produced several notable defenders over the years. In 2009, alongside emerging talents like Raul, Manoel, Ronaldo Alves, Carlão, and Bruno Costa, Alex Sandro started to make a name for himself within the club's ranks.
His promising performances did not go unnoticed, and he soon earned a call-up to represent Brazil at the youth level. After initially featuring for the under-18 team, Alex Sandro was called up to the under-20 side in August 2009, joining teammates such as Raul, Renan Foguinho, and Gabriel Pimba.

At just 18 years old, Alex Sandro made his debut for the Brazil under-20 team in a friendly match, marking the beginning of his international career. He went on to play a significant role in the success of the team, contributing to notable achievements such as winning the 2011 South American Youth Championship held in Peru.
His crowning moment came at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where Alex Sandro played a crucial role in Brazil's triumph. He featured prominently throughout the tournament and played in the final against Portugal, helping Brazil secure a thrilling 3–2 victory in extra time. This triumph further solidified his reputation as one of the promising talents emerging from Brazil's youth ranks.