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Whenever he has the chance, Alexander Isak (Solna, 1999) takes a plane to Eritrea, on the shore of the Red Sea. More than two decades ago, his parents traded Africa for Europe and landed in Sweden, more than 5,000 kilometers away. Specifically in the neighborhood with the highest percentage of immigration in the city of Solna. It was about finding a place where her children could have access to a better future. But Alexander does not forget his roots. Unlike. Despite the fact that he is only 21 years old, he collaborates in soccer projects for children in Asmara, the capital of the African country. They see him as a Messiah. Eritrean blood and Swedish heart. That is why, after signing the best season of his career at Real Sociedad, tonight (9:00 p.m.) will be one of the threats from Spain on the green of La Cartuja.

Isak has found his place San Sebastián.

In his debut in Spain he added 16 goals (nine in the League and seven in the Cup) in 45 games.

This season he has played 44 and has scored 17 goals, all in the League.

A record that no striker reached since

Nihat

(23) and

Kovacevic

(20) left Real one inch away from lifting the League in 2003.

Willian José's

departure

in January it took off.

In addition, he raised in April a historic Copa del Rey against Athletic (Unai Simón as goalkeeper), precisely between the walls where his first European Championship starts today.

Along the way, in that edition postponed by the pandemic, he silenced the Bernabéu in the quarterfinals with a double.

If health is with you, and Sweden responds, the normal thing is that, with only 21 years, it is the first of a few.

Dressed in yellow, with the colors of the Nordic team, he fulfilled one of his dreams less than three months ago. One of those childhood wishes that logic invited us to think would not be possible. His idol, his mirror, the guy who owes the nickname with which he took off in Sweden, the 'black Ibrahimovic'. At 39,

Zlatan

(118 games and 62 goals) announced his return, after resigning in 2016, after the European Championship in France. Isak would make his debut the following year at just 17 years old and would score his first goal against Slovakia, on his second chance, smashing the team's precocious record.

Both, teacher and student, who are separated by 18 years, shared a lead against Georgia and Kosovo, in two qualifying games for the World Cup.

Ibra gave two assists and Isak scored his sixth goal for Sweden (he has already made 22 games) and celebrated it with an unforgettable hug with Zlatan on the green.

Of course, the Real forward had no problem giving

Ibrahimovic

back the number 11: "It's for you, but I want it back in six or seven years, when you resign."

An untimely knee injury has prevented them from seeing them together at this European Championship.

Isak, in a recent match with Sweden.Janerik HenrikssonEFE

That 'no' to Real Madrid

Tonight (9:00 pm), Isak will be the great threat to Spain. A rate of 1.92 that has been attracting the interest of half of Europe for more than five years. At only 17 years old, he left Real Madrid planted, when

Florentino Pérez

believed he had him tied up (2017). That tall lad visited the Valdebebas facilities and witnessed a game in the Bernabéu box, but ended up accepting Borussia Dortmund's offer (close to nine million) to a general surprise. He cheered the coffers of AIK Solna and spent three years in the German team, a few months on loan to the Dutch Willem II, until the Royal Society appeared, two years ago. Isak's contract has a clause by which Borussia could play him back this summer in exchange for 30 million. It would be the wild card in case

Haaland

decided to change of scene.

Languages ​​don't scare you.

Unlike.

He speaks Tigrinya, the official language of Eritrea spoken by his parents.

Also Swedish, English, some German and he is progressing with Spanish, which he has been polishing in these two seasons in San Sebastián.

In Zubieta he goes to private classes and in his first year he coincided with

Martin Odegaard

, a year older than him, with whom he struck up a great friendship.

Isak shakes his lanky body in the area and is able to curl up in search of any shot.

But he does not do it only when there is a ball in between.

"Music is life for me," the battering ram often repeats.

In his case, life is a dance to the rhythm of an electric melody.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports

  • Euro 2020

  • Sweden National Soccer Team

  • Spain Soccer Team

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