FA Cup hopes: From facing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to non-league life for Fernando Forestieri
From elite grounds to Oxford City
Forestieri has played in Italy and Spain’s top leagues, shared the pitch with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and appeared before 72,000 supporters at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium. Now 36, he has joined Oxford City, nicknamed the Hoops. The National League North team has won seven of its first 11 games and sits third.
Forestieri said he was happy to join an ambitious club and hoped to help it as much as possible. He is also working towards his coaching badges.
A career across Europe
Forestieri faced Barcelona, Messi and Ibrahimovic during Malaga’s 2009-10 season in Spain’s top division. He also scored against Inter Milan while playing for Siena in 2008. He trained with Newell’s Old Boys and Boca Juniors in Argentina before qualifying to represent Italy through his grandfather. He played for Italy at youth level.
A decade ago, Forestieri helped Sheffield Wednesday reach the Championship play-off final. The team lost to Hull City at Wembley in the season Leicester won the Premier League.
A new FA Cup challenge
Forestieri joined Oxford City after training with the PFA’s pre-season programme for players without a club. He said the move represented a major change, but that he was pleased to be there.
With the FA Cup in view, he asked why Oxford City could not cause an upset, describing that possibility as central to the competition. He lives in north London with his wife, Andria, and their sons Santiago, nine, and Maximiliano, six. Forestieri said he still loves playing, often joining football games when he and Santiago come across them in a park.
Key points
- Forestieri, 36, has joined Oxford City after playing in Italy and Spain’s top leagues.
- Oxford City are third in National League North after seven wins in 11 games.
- Forestieri has shared pitches with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
- He believes Oxford City can cause an FA Cup upset.