In today's soccer it is uncommon for a player to put down roots in the same club, but at Chivas we have an exemplary case of someone who has the colors of Deportivo Guadalajara tattooed in his heart, and who spent his entire career and training process in the institution.
We are talking about Jesús Sánchez, who arrived at Verde Valle 17 years ago and this Thursday announced that he will hang up his boots at the end of the Apertura 2024, which is why we present 17 facts that you probably didn't know about our beloved 'Chapo', very valuable information that will make you feel identified in many ways with the historic right-back of the Rebaño Sagrado.
We want to clarify that ALL the answers came from his own voice, so here we leave you with everything he told us.
1. His favorite moments as a player were his debut and the Clausura 2017 Liga MX Championship. Both were peak moments he dreamed of as a child.
2. The most difficult players he faced in Liga MX were Damián Álvarez, 'Chucky' Lozano and Joao Rojas, while at international level he faced Frank Ribery one-on-one.
3. Throughout his career he was given several nicknames in the dressing room, in addition to 'Chapo'. What are these nicknames? Moonface', 'Shovelface' and 'Mimoso'. Sanchez clarifies that he was showered with pseudonyms because he was always a very craggy guy.
4. He had many teammates who marked him in terms of soccer and leadership, but he highlighted Héctor Reynoso, Omar Bravo and Isaac Brizuela. Each one had a positive influence in a different way.
5. 'Chapo' had many coaches who encouraged him in his career and he is grateful to all of them, but he remembers José Luis Real with particular affection for giving him the opportunity to make his debut, Benjamín Galindo for his human side and Matías Almeyda for the push he gave him on and off the field.
6. He has 2 goals, which he remembers fondly: the first one he scored against Querétaro in the Apertura 2010 and the great goal he scored against León in the Guard1anes 2021.
7. He remembers EVERYTHING that happened on the day of his debut. From the moment he was told he was going to play, when 'Bofo' Bautista went to shave him as a hazing and that he was cramping up at the 70th minute of that match against San Luis.
8. When Chivas gave him his first salary, he decided to split it in half; one part he sent to his parents and the other he kept. With the following payments, he began to fix up his family's house in Sonora.
9. He describes these last days as a soccer player with the word happiness. He has tried to enjoy them as the first ones; he leaves happy, fulfilled and grateful for all the moments he has lived with Club Guadalajara.
10. His most powerful cabals have always been work, patience and perseverance.
11. His favorite 'tachos' have always been the ones he used in his debut. That model was widely used in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and they were also worn by David Villa, a player he always admired.
12. Sánchez describes Guadalajara in 3 words: LOVE, PASSION and PRIDE.
13. Of the 5 championships he won with Chivas, his favorites will always be those of the 2017 double, for all that that time meant and the dynamics of that squad.
14. He has had several roomies since his arrival at the Rebaño Sagrado. At the beginning he was with 'Venado' Medina, Omar Bravo and his friend Miguel Ponce.
15. Currently his roommate in the training camps is his compadre and inseparable Isaac Brizuela, whom he considers the best roomie he has ever had, as they have shared great moments on and off the field. Today he considers him part of his family.
16. He was not always a right back. The Rebaño youth player began his soccer training as an attacker, but he managed to maximize his virtues by starting as a defender on the right flank. He was even key in winning the title in 2017, protecting that flank.
17. The number 17 means a lot in his life, as many important things have been related to it. He was champion with Chivas in 2017, his first daughter was born in 2017, his house is number 17 and it was his turn to wear the number 17. At home, his children consider that number as the lucky one.
