Alexis Sanchez has named Barcelona legend Carles Puyol as his greatest ever captain.
The Chile international scored his first goal for Inter at the weekend, finding the net in a 3-1 victory over Sampdoria before being sent off for a second bookable offence.
The forward moved to San Siro on a season-long loan from Manchester United this summer, ending an unsuccessful 19-month stay at Old Trafford.
Sanchez previously represented Cobreloa, Colo-Colo, Boca Juniors, Udinese, Barcelona and Arsenal, winning two titles in Chile, one in Argentina, one in Spain and two FA Cups with the Gunners.
He was also a key part of the Chilean national team’s golden era, helping his country win back-to-back Copas America in 2015 and 2016.
But when asked to name the best captain he has played under, Sanchez returned to his club career and chose former Barcelona centre-back Puyol ahead of his return to the Camp Nou in the Champions League this week.
“When I arrived, there was talk that it might be the best Barcelona in history,” Sanchez told UEFA.
“There was [Lionel] Messi, [Pep] Guardiola, Xavi [Hernandez], [Andres] Iniesta... and there was Puyol, who to me is an amazing captain, the best I've had in my career.
“At Barcelona, I learned a lot in terms of improving. I had quality players by my side, who had won a World Cup, and each day they would improve their physique and their communication on the pitch.”
Inter have made a superb start to the Serie A season, winning each of their first six games to sit two points clear of Juventus at the top of the table.
They only managed a 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague on matchday one of the Champions League, though, and are therefore under pressure to avoid defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday.
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