Headline: Fernando Forestieri Makes Debut for Oxford City as They Prepare for FA Cup Clash with Leicester
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A Saturday afternoon in October at the Hebburn Sports and Social Ground in Tyne & Wear showcased an unusual sight as some Hebburn Town fans began to leave, while Oxford City celebrated a commanding 3-0 lead in the 81st minute. Among the excitement, the team introduced their new Argentine signing, Fernando Forestieri, to the pitch for his debut.
At 36 years old, Forestieri has shared the field with football legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, performing in front of massive crowds, including 72,000 at the renowned Bernabeu Stadium. This time, however, he stepped onto the field in front of just 873 supporters, marking the beginning of his journey with the Oxford City Hoops, who currently sit third in the National League North after securing seven victories in their last eleven games.
After the match, Forestieri told BBC Sport, “It was like a tennis match, the ball going one way one second, then the other way the next.” He is looking forward to his next challenge: a FA Cup first-round match against Leicester City scheduled for Friday at 19:45 GMT. Forestieri aims to help the non-league club pull off what could be a significant upset against the League One Foxes.
“It has been a decade since Leicester famously won the Premier League title. The same year I was assisting Sheffield Wednesday in reaching the Championship play-off final, where we faced Hull City,” he reflected. Forestieri acknowledged the immense difference between Leicester’s past glory and their current position, but added, “Why can’t Oxford City cause an upset? This is what the FA Cup is all about.”
Forestieri’s impressive football background includes encounters with elite players while he played for Malaga in Spain’s top league. He fondly remembers facing Ronaldo five years ago during a Serie A match. “You never forget being on the same pitch as these big players,” he noted, recalling his past games against teams like Inter Milan and Juventus.
Having grown up in Rosario, Argentina—the same city where Messi was born—Forestieri idolized Diego Maradona. Following Maradona’s death in 2020, he paid tribute by writing the legend’s name on the back of his Udinese shirt. “In Argentina, everyone pretended to be Diego. He was a hero to us all,” he said.
Despite a challenging upbringing, Forestieri’s passion for the sport led him to join esteemed clubs such as Newell’s Old Boys and Boca Juniors. He moved to Italy at 16 and quickly made his senior debut for Genoa, later qualifying to play for Italy through his grandfather and participating in youth-level matches.
Now, two decades after his debut, he finds himself playing in non-league football after recent stints in Malaysia and Cyprus. He returned to England following the birth of his third son, Luciano.
Forestieri’s connection to Oxford City stems from his time at Watford, where he crossed paths with Hoops manager Ross Jenkins. He caught up with assistant manager Paul Robinson, who invited him to join the club while undergoing training with the PFA. “This is a big change, but I’m thrilled to be at Oxford City. They are an ambitious club, and I want to contribute to their goals,” Forestieri expressed.
Living with his wife Andria and their two sons, Santiago and Maximiliano, in north London, he continues to embody his love for football, sharing it with his family. “Whenever I see someone playing football in the park, we stop and join in. I still have that passion,” he shared.
As excitement builds for the upcoming match against Leicester, which is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of 3,500 supporters, Oxford City will then face Darlington in their next league match next Tuesday. Forestieri concluded, “At 36, it’s essential to listen to your body, but I’m grateful to still be playing and to have a club that wants me.”
