
Premier League flop, 37, known for awkward Anfield moment to be given statue at proposed World Cup stadium
'LAST MEMORY' Premier League flop, 37, known for awkward Anfield moment to be given statue at proposed World Cup stadium
A PREMIER League flop is set to be immortalised outside a proposed World Cup stadium.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal, as well as Morocco.
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Celta Vigo's Estadio Balaidos will potentially host matches for the 2030 World Cup
Credit: GETTY
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A statue of flop Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is set to be erected outside the ground
Credit: ACTION
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Aspas will be honoured with a statue after scoring 214 goals for the club
Credit: GETTY
One of the Spanish stadiums touted as a potential match venue is the home of La Liga side Celta Vigo - the Estadio de Balaidos.
And visiting fans will be greeted by a statue of flop Liverpool striker Iago Aspas.
The 37-year-old joined the Merseysiders in the summer of 2013 but left Anfield after two seasons on their books.
He found goals incredibly hard to come by, finding the back of the net ONCE in 15 appearances.
That, however, wasn't the case at his boyhood team Celta, whom he's scored a whopping 214 goals for during two stints.
Aspas is beloved by the Celta faithful, so much so that the club are commissioning a statue in his honour.
Club president Marian Mourino said: "When we were in Manchester, there was a statue of Bobby Charlton in front of the stadium.
"The same will happen here with Iago Aspas."
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Iago Aspas was responsible for one of the worst corners in Premier League history against Chelsea
Credit: Sky Sports
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Anfield let out a collective groan as the Spaniard played a side-footed pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0.
Credit: SKY SPORTS
Aspas' 80th-minute winner against Getafe on the final day of the La Liga season last month secured Celta Europa League football for next season.
He'll forever be remembered by the Celta fans for his incredible haul of goals.
The Sports Desk EP13_AP_V2
But Liverpool supporters will likely remember him for his awful corner against Chelsea in April 2014.
Aspas irked the Anfield faithful by playing a sidefooted pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0 in a crunch title clash.
When recalling the horror corner in 2017, he told the Daily Mail: "It was a great season for Liverpool… I just wish I could have played a bigger part.
'The corner is the last memory they have of me but football always gives you another chance.
'Let's hope the new lasting memory of me in England is knocking Manchester United out of Europe, for the sake of Celta Vigo, and for the happiness it would bring to Liverpool supporters too.'
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