From playing for Chile to joining Wimborne Town in the FA Cup: the amazing journey of Angel Diaz
Every season, the FA Cup brings a special story that captures the hearts of football fans who believe in its magic. This time, it’s about Angel Diaz and his surprising journey to Wimborne Town.
Diaz made headlines on October 17 when he scored a winning goal in the 84th minute for the Magpies during an exciting fourth-round qualifying match against Chelmsford City. That goal helped the club reach the FA Cup first round proper, where they will face League Two’s Crawley Town in a game being shown live on TNT Sports.
Many people were curious: How did a 19-year-old former Chile youth international end up at a Southern League Premier South Division club? Not long ago, Diaz was seen as one of the most promising young talents at Colo Colo, one of South America’s biggest teams. He even caught the eye of big Brazilian clubs like Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro, with Atletico Mineiro making a formal offer to sign him.
However, Colo Colo turned down the offer. Diaz and his team respected that choice, but things got tough for him at the club. With no clear path to the first team, he decided to look for chances in Europe.
Diaz knew he had the skills to succeed in Europe but needed to work on his physical fitness. So, he took a chance and moved to England to join a special training program in Southampton, focusing on his strength, stamina, agility, and recovery. He trained twice a day, but after a month, he wanted more game time — that’s when Wimborne Town came into the picture.
How is he doing so far? Since joining, Diaz has played in a few league games and friendly matches, with a memorable four-goal performance against Havant & Waterlooville standing out. He’s played a big part in Wimborne’s FA Cup run and is adjusting well to the tough physical style of English football, alongside fellow Chilean Max Bustamante.
SPORTbible can also share that Diaz’s strong performances have caught the attention of clubs in the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two, with talks happening behind the scenes.
Beyond his skills on the pitch, Diaz’s warm connection with Wimborne’s fans has helped him feel at home. After being substituted in the Havant & Waterlooville game, he took five minutes to get to the bench because he was busy hugging, high-fiving, and taking selfies with supporters.
Diaz is eager to help Wimborne make history by reaching the second round of the FA Cup for the first time ever.