Mazinho, the father of Liverpool player Thiago Alcântara, has voiced his wish to watch his son play for a former team before retiring.
In a key position at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp since moving to Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020, Thiago has had a huge impact. The 32-year-old is yet to play in the new season, which has worried Liverpool fans because of his injury history.
Although there were earlier in the summer (including via L’Equipe) speculations of a possible transfer to the Saudi Pro League, it is doubtful that Thiago will follow former midfield teammates Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in leaving Liverpool for the Middle East this year.
With Brazil, Mazinho won the World Cup in 1994. Throughout his career, he played for eight clubs, with the majority of his games coming for Celta Vigo in Spain.
Although Mazinho was a player for Lecce when Thiago was born in Italy, he spent his entire childhood in Vigo starting at the age of five. According to Mundo Deportivo, Mazinho wants his son to play for the La Liga team in the future.
At a recent match honoring Celta’s 100th anniversary, Mazinho said: “Thiago has another dimension and another lifestyle, so it is very complicated right now. In football, you never know, I hope so. But I do hope Thiago could visit us.
The family’s ties to the team were further cemented by Thiago’s brother Rafinha’s two loan stints with Celta in 2013/14 and 2019/20. “Nearly all of the memories I have from here are very good,” continued Mazinho. Celta means “our home” for the entire family. Rafa got the chance to play two seasons here after moving here.
Thiago, 32, has one year left on his Liverpool deal. When his contract ends, it’s still unclear if the team would extend it to him because he’ll be 33.
