Premier League flop to get STATUE outside proposed World Cup stadium – as star’s club labels him the ‘best player’ in their history

A Premier League flop who scored no goals in the division is set to be remembered for years to come with a statue.

The striker was ranked the third-worst player in Liverpool’s history – admittedly rather harshly and with recency bias – after struggling to adapt to the language and culture. 

But Iago Aspas is a legend for Celta Vigo and their president has revealed plans to build an effigy outside their Estadio Balaidos.

That could see his imposing figure staring down at England stars as the ground is a proposed venue for the 2030 World Cup, hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. 

Aspas moved to Anfield for £6million in 2013 but his only goal in 15 appearances came in the FA Cup against Oldham.

He was then shipped out to Sevilla on loan for his second season on Liverpool‘s books before moving back to Celta. 

Liverpool flop Iago Aspas is set to be immortalised in a statue outside Celta Vigo's ground

Liverpool flop Iago Aspas is set to be immortalised in a statue outside Celta Vigo’s ground

He only scored one goal in 15 games for the Reds but is a legend for his Spanish club

He only scored one goal in 15 games for the Reds but is a legend for his Spanish club

Celta Vigo's Estadio Balaidos (pictured) is a proposed venue for the 2030 World Cup

Celta Vigo’s Estadio Balaidos (pictured) is a proposed venue for the 2030 World Cup 

A homeboy to the heart, Aspas had felt homesick when he moved the 16 kilometre distance from his fishing village of Moana to Vigo, so switching country was always going to be a struggle. 

Liverpool even allowed him to invite a group of his best friends over to help him acclimatise but that didn’t help him integrate or crack the language. 

It’s a different story for Celta, though. In the right environment, Aspas is a prolific forward. The striker, 37, has now scored 214 goals for them across 524 appearances.

‘When we were in Manchester, there was a statue of Bobby Charlton in front of the stadium (…) The same will happen here with Iago Aspas,’ said club president Marian Mourino. 

Mourino also hailed him as ‘the best player in the club’s history’.

His form in LaLiga has seen him capped 20 times by Spain down the years and he has scored six goals for them.

He scored against England on his Spain debut at Wembley in 2016 in a 2-2 draw. 

An overriding memory for Liverpool fans, though, may be of Aspas’ woeful corner against Chelsea in 2014 in the game that killed off their title hopes. 

Aspas' only goal for Liverpool came in the FA Cup third round in a 2-0 victory over Oldham

Aspas’ only goal for Liverpool came in the FA Cup third round in a 2-0 victory over Oldham 

The infamous corner came as Liverpool were chasing the game in stoppage time. 

It needed to go into the danger area instead it went straight to Willlan on the edge of the box leaving exasperated team-mates gesturing, arms outstretched. 

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Liverpool are set to pay a club-record fee for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz

Liverpool are not done yet! Reds turn their attention to Premier League star after agreeing British record £116m deal for Florian Wirtz – with a No 9 and a defender also on their wishlist

By LEWIS STEELE Published: 22:30 BST, 13 June 2025 | Updated: 00:33 BST, 14 June 2025 Liverpool are set to take their summer spending spree past £200million after agreeing a record-breaking deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany star will complete a switch to the Premier League champions for a club-record £100m,

João Pedro

Man Utd Reignite Osimhen Interest; Real Madrid Eye Rodri; Arsenal Make Sesko Breakthrough

Sports Illustrated rounds up the latest transfer rumors and gossip from around the world. João Pedro could be on the move this summer. / IMAGO/Sportimage Manchester United have reignited their pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Foot Mercato claims. While also still interested in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, United are back in talks with the Nigeria international,

Ayoze Perez Thierno Barry

Premier League side confirm plan for La Liga star forward

Villarreal striker Thierno Barry is a crucial transfer target for Premier League side Everton this summer. The France U21 international opted to complete a move to the Yellow Submarine ahead of the 2024/25 campaign from Swiss side Basel. The 22-year-old has adapted instantly to life in Castellon with 11 league goals scored as Villarreal snatched

Thomas Frank (pictured) was appointed as Tottenham's new manager on Thursday evening

Chelsea’s five pricey bosses, Liverpool’s gamble on Arne Slot… and Man United’s mid-season swoop for Ruben Amorim – where does Thomas Frank rank in the Premier League’s most expensive football managers?

Sometimes you have to blow the budget to get what you want. We often see Premier League clubs fork out frankly laughable sums of money to acquire the world’s best talent on the pitch. The amount of cash chucked about is growing by the year, and Liverpool‘s £116m bid to sign Florian Wirtz is the

Horner dismissing ferrari rumours

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur slams Italian media over treatment of team following speculation over his future | F1 News

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur says elements of the Italian media’s reporting “hurts” his team and is a contributing factor in preventing them from winning championships. Following a hugely disappointing start to a 2025 campaign in which Ferrari were expected to contend for titles after signing Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc, reports in Italy earlier

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x