[SPORT]Alzate, the hero of Anfield: 'I feel Colombian for my parents'

[WilkerCSBD]

Steven Alzate was the protagonist of the first victory in the history of Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. Born in Camden, London, but with deep Colombian roots, this midfielder grew up watching Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry play and now dreams of representing Colombia in a World Cup. "That is my goal," he acknowledges in a talk with Efe a few weeks after having scored his first goal in the Premier League in the best possible scenario.

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"It meant a lot to me as a player. To score my first goal as a Brighton player against a team like Liverpool. And not only to score the goal, but also to win the game. Hopefully I can continue like this," says the Colombian.

Born in the Camden neighborhood 22 years ago, Alzate is fluent in both English and Spanish, but when asked why he chose Colombia as the team to represent he is clear. "I feel Colombian for my parents," he explains.

Alzate grew up surrounded by the music, food and customs of Colombia and has never detached himself from them. Even though he developed his love for him
football watching the great players of the Premier League. "I used to see players like Thierry Henry, at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas ... I tell you these players because I am an Arsenal fan and I always saw them when I was a child."

Alzate fell in love with Arsenal at a glorious stage in their history and fulfilled his dream of signing for a Premier League team in 2017, but his progression was cut short by a series of injuries that held him back during his assignments and his time at the team affiliate. "I have had to recover from several injuries, but it is not only injuries that affect you, you also have to recover quickly from when you are not playing. You have to be physically and mentally strong. You always have to be ready when they need you. and to take advantage of the opportunity that the technician gives you. "

During his loan season at Swindon Town in 2018, he suffered the worst setback. He broke his loan contract due to a serious back injury that separated him from the team in December. Until then he had been the undisputed starter. Everything pointed out that for 2019 the Colombian would leave again, but no.

Graham Potter, a lover of the game of touch, decided to test Alzate in preseason and asked that he not go out. He established himself as a regular player in the eleven headlines and played 21 games last season, despite missing the final half with a groin injury. He renewed for four years last July and returned all the trust placed in him to Potter when on February 3 he decided the duel against Liverpool with his goal. "I don't know if it was played by Trossard or just me, but I'll score the goal," Alzate said with a laugh after handing Brighton their first victory in Liverpool's fiefdom.

"As soon as the game was over, I received about 10,000 messages and I didn't have time to read them all. Messages from my family, the people closest to me, my friends ... they were all very happy for me." Now his goal puts him very high. "My dream with the Colombia team is to play the World Cup. My dream as a club for the moment is to be here and succeed here. When I am older I will think about going to a new club for a new adventure," said Alzate, who already knows what it means to debut with the senior team, when Carlos Queiroz was there, although he still has a call pending with the current coach, Reinaldo Rueda.

As well as being a hero in Brighton, Alzate is also a hero in Villavicencio, the city where his father grew up and where his brother runs the Alzate foundation, aimed at helping underprivileged children through baseball. "We do it to help the children, so that they have an opportunity to play soccer and that they are not on the streets doing things that they should not be doing. In South America there are many talented players and so we can give them that opportunity to show it. We also help the most disadvantaged who do not have the opportunity to eat or drink. "

With that 2022 World Cup in his sights, Alzate aspires to become what his childhood idols were once in the Premier League. For now, he already has his place reserved in Brighton's history books. Alzate is the hero of Anfield.