From Superstars to the Sixth Tier: Forestieri's New Chapter at Oxford City

Fernando Forestieri has traded the glitz of top-tier leagues in Italy and Spain for a new adventure with Oxford City in England's sixth tier. On a chilly Saturday afternoon in October, the scene was set at Hebburn Sports and Social Ground in Tyne & Wear. With Oxford City leading 3-0 and time running out, fans began to filter out as Forestieri, the club's latest signing, prepared to make his debut in front of a crowd of just 873. "It felt like a tennis match, with the ball going back and forth," the 36-year-old said after the game, as his new team celebrated their seventh victory in eleven matches, landing them in third place in the National League North. Next up for Oxford City is a thrilling FA Cup first-round clash against Leicester City on Friday night (19:45 GMT). Forestieri, a former player for Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, is eager to help the non-league side pull off an upset against the League One team. Reflecting on Leicester's remarkable Premier League title win a decade ago, Forestieri noted, "There's a significant contrast between what Leicester achieved ten years ago and their current situation. Why can't Oxford City spring a surprise? That's the magic of the FA Cup!" Forestieri has shared the pitch with legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his illustrious career. He fondly recalled his time in Spain's top division with Malaga, where he faced giants like Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. "Being on the same pitch as these phenomenal players is something you never forget," he remarked, recalling his days of scoring against Inter Milan while with Siena. Hailing from Rosario, the same city as Messi, Forestieri grew up idolizing Diego Maradona. After Maradona's passing in 2020, he honored the legend by writing a tribute on the back of his Udinese jersey. "In Argentina, everyone wanted to be like Diego," he reminisced, describing his upbringing in a humble household. "I shared a room with my parents and two brothers; we had very little." Life was tough in Rosario, and Forestieri's brother Maximiliano was even shot but thankfully survived. His early talent earned him spots in the youth systems of prestigious clubs like Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors before he moved to Italy at 16, where he made his senior debut with Genoa. Fast forward two decades, and after stints in Malaysia and Cyprus, Forestieri is still making his mark, albeit now in non-league football as he embraces family life with his wife Andria and their three sons, including newborn Luciano. Forestieri's connection to Oxford City is deeper than just a new club. He crossed paths with Hoops manager Ross Jenkins during their time at Watford, and assistant manager Paul Robinson shares a similar history. After training with the PFA for players without a contract, Robinson reached out to him. "He said, 'Why don’t you come here to help us? We’ll help you get fit,'" Forestieri recounted. "This is a big change for me, but I’m thrilled to be here. Oxford City is an ambitious club, and I want to contribute as much as possible." Now taking his coaching badges, Forestieri still has an unquenchable passion for football. "Whenever I’m at the park with Santiago and we see someone playing, we jump in to join the game. That's how much I love the sport," he said. As the anticipation builds for the Leicester match, expected to draw a sell-out crowd of 3,500, Oxford City will soon embark on a long trip to face Darlington in their next league fixture. "At 36, you have to listen to your body," Forestieri acknowledged. "But I’m grateful to still be playing and for a club that believes in me."