Edson Álvarez needed a long run-up, partly because he had to do without his family, but has become an indispensable link at Ajax. The Mexican also feels like a fish in water in Amsterdam and thanked him for a transfer to Stade Rennes last summer.
The Breton club was prepared to go far and even used Álvarez’ compatriot Salma Hayek – partner of the owner of Stade Rennes – as his trump card. “If that interest had come a year earlier, I would not have played at Ajax anymore,” says The Machin to Football International. “So you see again how certain things can go in football. I really found my happiness here and that is why I was not at all open to leaving last summer.”
The Mexican inspector even signed a broken contract in October and Ajax did not let the opportunity pass unnoticed. “At the end of October, the club organized a training session in the stadium and supporters were allowed to attend, in appreciation for their support during the corona period. I knew I would sign my new contract on the field afterwards, but the club had also invited my family. “
The pleasantly surprised Álvarez then saw his daughter run across the grass of the Johan Cruijff Arena for the first time. “In my first period at Ajax, everything was new, far from home, and because of the regulations I was not allowed to have my wife and newborn daughter with me every day. That was very difficult for me, but luckily that time is behind us and we have well as a family in the Netherlands.”
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