Azpilicueta, beaten by Corinthians, returns to the World Cup with another prestige

A lot has changed, of course, since Chelsea last participated in the World Cup in 2012. Coaches and players have come and gone. Striker Lukaku arrived, left and arrived again.

Only one piece was kept during this entire period: César Azpilicueta. The Spanish right-back, who was in the defeat to Corinthians in the decision nine years ago, is now the captain of the English team that seeks the world title again – and can frustrate the attempt of Palmeiras, which has the same objective.

The defender arrived at Chelsea a decade ago, then aged 22, initially with a mission to be the backup for the experienced Branislav Ivanovic at right-back. He had aroused the interest of Londoners for his performances with the shirt of Olympique de Marseille.

Replacing Ivanovic was exactly what he did in the duel with Corinthians, in Japan. He achieved little in the ten minutes he remained on the field and now he hopes to contribute in a more significant way in his second World Cup, in the United Arab Emirates.

Qualified directly for the semifinals, the blue team will make its debut next Wednesday (9), still without a defined opponent. What is defined is that, if Chelsea win that day and the following Saturday (12), who will lift the cup will be Azpilicueta.

The player established himself as the leader and also on the right side. Between the 2012 and 2021 World Cups, he went through all positions in the defense and, even right-handed, came to stand out on the left side. Now, he is back in the sector he occupied at the beginning of his career, in the Spanish Osasuna.

While running through the defense, the athlete born in the small Zizur Mayor was piling up titles. He has won the Premier League twice, also triumphed in the FA Cup, won two Europa League titles and achieved greater glory by lifting the last Champions League trophy.

“Azpi is a fantastic player because he can play in different roles,” praised Italian coach Antonio Conte, who coached him between 2016 and 2018. “He’s fast, has good technique and good positioning. He’s an intelligent player.”

Its current commander, the German Thomas Tuchel, also makes a point of praising its qualities frequently. “He’s a fantastic captain, a great player and a really good guy too,” he said.

A constant presence in Spain’s youth teams, Azpilicueta was in his country’s first team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. And he fulfilled the prediction made by Jean-Claude Dassier, president of Olympique, who, when he sold him to Chelsea, imagined a future for the national team.

The projection was mocked by Eric Di Meco, a former French player who worked as a commentator for Monte Carlo radio. He said he would eat a mouse if that happened and had to fulfill the deal: on a program on RMC radio, he tasted a rodent cooked with apples.

With that critic silent, the athlete built a solid career at Chelsea and, at 32, is one of the most respected figures in the blue squad. Now, in 2022, possibly against Palmeiras, he seeks what he failed to achieve in 2012, against Corinthians.