Areola was one of the best goalkeepers for Villarreal in the 2015-16 season. He not only helped his team to a fourth-place finish in the La Liga set up but also reached the semi-finals in the UEFA Europa Cup.
France's goalkeeper Alphonse Areola takes part in a training session at the French national football team training base in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on September 2, 2019, as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming Euro-2020 qualifiers matches. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
La Liga giants Real Madrid signed Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Monday.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper is, in fact, a product of the PSG academy and made his senior debut with Paris Saint-Germain when he was just 19. He then moved to Lens and Bastia on loan deals in the 2013-14 season and the 2014-15 season respectively before joining Villarreal in 2015.
It is worth highlighting that Areola was one of the best goalkeepers for Villarreal in the 2015-16 season. He not only helped his team to a fourth-place finish in the La Liga set up but also reached the semi-finals in the UEFA Europa Cup.
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During the season, Areola broke the club record for not conceding a goal for the longest duration (620 minutes). In 2016-17, he came back to PSG and in over a 100 matches for them since then, he has bagged three league trophies, two French Cups and four French Super Cups along with two League Cups.
Notably, Areola was also part of the FIFA World Cup 2018 winning France national team.
His signing by Real Madrid is being celebrated extensively by Philippines fans all over the world, as he is the first player of Filipino origin who will play for Real Madrid.
Here are some of the best fan reactions on Twitter:
So since Areola’s parents are Filipino it means The Philippines is reppin’ Real Madrid now 🤝
— Ela (@eIastorm) September 2, 2019
Anyone still remember this guy?
French-Filipino Alphonse Areola will go On Loan to Real Madrid for a season.
🏆 2013 U20 World Cup 🇫🇷
🏆 2018 World Cup 🇫🇷 https://t.co/GtXLZMmlTg— chris_bautista (@chris_bautista) September 2, 2019
Real Madrid signed Areola. Filipinos around the world should be rejoicing
— Olivier GiRUDEBOi (@CPitoz) September 2, 2019
Alphonse Areola se convertira en el segundo campeon del mundo con Francia en #Rusia2018 que vestira la camiseta del Real Madrid despues de Varane que llego al club blanco en 2012, buen fichaje sobre todo que es de origen filipino
— Mario Alvarado (@marioal98584586) September 2, 2019
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