How Stade Rennais wooed Edson Alvarez with Hollywood actress
Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has claimed Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais got Hollywood actress Salma Hayek to convince him to sign for them in the summer.
Mexican international Alvarez, 23, has been at Ajax since 2019 and he helped the Dutch side to a league and cup double last season.
French side Rennais were interested in signing him and they took an unusual route to try and lure him into joining the club over the summer.
They got well-known Hollywood actress Hayek, the wife of Rennais owner Francois-Henri Pinault, to persuade him but it didn’t work as Alvarez insisted on staying with Ajax despite being ‘flattered’.
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Alvarez told De Telegraaf: ‘As a well-known Mexican compatriot, she called me and tried to persuade me to come to France. That surprised and flattered me, but my choice for Ajax was certain and I explained that to her.
‘She’s a very great and famous actress all over the world because of her Hollywood films, a huge star. I hold her very high.
‘She is an example because as a Mexican she fought to be where she is today.’
Alvarez came through the youth system of his native club ‘America’ and made his debut for them at the age of 19.
He played over 100 games for them before moving to Holland for £12.6million (€15m) just over two years ago.
He has been capped by Mexico 50 times since making his debut in 2017 and has scored twice in that time. He also helped them win the Gold Cup in 2019.