Alex Sanchez has recently accepted an offer to return to Spain and left this week, following a farewell interview with Neos Kosmos where we looked at his career.

Alex, never in my life would I have believed I would sit down with someone who played in LA Liga, the highest division in Spain, and not because I can’t speak Spanish. It’s not every day a Spanish player will have lunch with me in Belmore! What was it like to play at that level for Real Zaragoza?

It was a dream come true actually. I had dreamed with that moment since I was a kid and I could play in La Liga when I was nineteen. At that moment I did not realise how difficult it is to achieve that and I am really proud of that.

You were born in Zaragoza and played in their youth teams. Zaragoza is not that far from the home of El Greco in Toledo. What was it like growing up in Spain and are there many similarities to the Greeks that you have encountered playing for Olympic and living in Canterbury, an area with many Greeks?

It has been a great surprise to find out how the Greek community live and enjoy the life. Firstly, I have to say that I had no idea of how big the Greek community living in Australia is. However, that fact made me feel comfortable since day one because there are a lot of similarities between Spanish and Greeks. Growing up in Spain made me really sociable, outgoing, kind and friendly so I think that’s why I have [been well-suited] to the Greek Olympic family since the start.

You were a real star in Segunda B, especially with Tudelano where you played over 100 matches, and Osasuna, where the great John Aloisi once played. Why give that up to play in Belmore?

I always had the desire to play overseas and I turned down some offers from Thailand, Israel and Finland when I was younger for different reasons so when I got the call from Olympic I did not think twice and I decided to cross the world to play in Belmore. It was a great opportunity to discover this beautiful country and to improve my English skills.

READ MORE: Could Sydney Olympic’s glory days be here again?

Alex with Billy Cotsis at the book signing of ‘Once Upon a Time in Crystal Palace’

Your story is one of inspiration, in November 2009, you made history by becoming the first player ever to compete at the highest football division with one hand. Did you feel any different, did the players treat you any differently?

No, not at all. I never felt as an inspiration until the moment I played in La Liga because a lot of people with disabilities came to me to let me know that I had inspired them. At that stage I was aware that I had a big opportunity to help disabled people (especially kids) because sport is such a big social tool to implement equality on societies.

When we last met, I asked how your week was going and you told me you help one day a week for a Greek-run law firm and that you were taking a range of clinics for young people, and you recently attained the title of Doctor. Tell me about your studies and how are you managing to balance all of that?

I always loved studying, so It was not as hard as It looks. Actually, studying helps me not to have distractions in my football career because I have spent more time in libraries that I did in bars. It has been really useful to me. Professional footballers have a lot of free time; we have to spend it properly and it is what I tried. I finished the PhD last year, I am completing a Master in Politics and I have written a book on Human Rights in Sport.

You have inspired a character in my sports fiction/novel called ‘Once Upon a Time in Crystal Palace’, with the ‘X Factor’ character, Alejandro. And that character makes a huge difference to the form of the team. Is that the first time you have ‘featured’ in a project like this?

It has been the first time and it has been one of the most beautiful things that it happened to me. Actually, I am honoured to be part of your book and I cannot put into words how grateful I am. It has been a big pleasure to read the book because putting aside that I am one of the main characters, the story is fantastic. Greeks, Brexit, Football and me! What a good mix!

READ MORE: Billy Cotsis’ new book takes us to the Crystal Palace

In 2017/18 Sydney Olympic won the double and you were their leading scorer. Last season, you continued to score but the team just missed the finals. How do you see Olympic improving this season and beyond?

Since the moment I put the Olympic jersey on for first time I realised how big was the history of this Club. The Club is bigger than any single player and it will always be respected in Australia. I hope the Club achieves big things in the future and I wish we played in the A-League in the upcoming seasons. The Club deserves and Olympic fans deserve that.

Alex Sanchez with Soccreoos great Peter Katholos. Photo: Supplied

Any words or advice for young kids looking to play and follow and their dreams?

Just enjoy whatever you like and whatever you do. I would say that life is about passion so try to be as passionate as you can to achieve your goals. Dreams come true!

  • Billy Cotsis is the author of ‘Once upon a time in Crystal Palace’, available at the Greek Bilingual Bookstore or Amazon