Asprilla knows he left a mark on English football. Newcastle United signed him at the age of 26. During his time with that team, he left good memories such as the hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage of the Champions League in 1997. He knows the secrets of the English championship like few others and from his experience advises Colombian footballers who start a new season this Saturday, August 8.
How much stamina does a Colombian player need to shine in the Premier League?
"I consider the Premier League to be the second most important tournament after the World Cup. It is a very prestigious competition, and the players who want to shine must take it with all the responsibility and seriousness it deserves."
Why do you think our players do better in Italy or Spain than in England?
English football is more physical compared to the strength that the Spanish or Italian league has, so I think Colombian players have difficulties in standing out. But when they realize what English football is really like and how it is played, they will adapt because our players have the quality to play anywhere."
Of the current players in the Premier League, who do you think has the potential to stay longer?
"I believe Carlos Sánchez, David Ospina, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, and Falcao García have the potential to stay in English football. Maybe David Ospina could stand out more than the others, even though he ended up a bit betrayed by his coach after bringing in Petr Čech, despite Ospina having a very good end to the season. I also trust in Falcao's goals and hope that Juan Guillermo Cuadrado starts showing the football he was hired for in England."
Fans don't forget those players who later become idols, as happened to Asprilla in 2011 when he attended the derby between Newcastle and Sunderland at St. James' Park. The fans let him know that "There's only one Tino".
The striker could hardly see the game because the fans crowded around asking for an autograph and a photo for the memory, anecdotes written in the British media Chronicle Live. "I'm very happy every time I come to Newcastle. I was in the middle of the crowd, and it was very difficult to watch the game because everyone was chanting my name and wanted photos. I couldn't properly watch the match, but I enjoyed being with the fans."
Faustino became famous from the first day he set foot in Britain, not only because he was the most expensive signing for Newcastle (£7.6 million) but also because the coat he wore on arrival at the Magpies' club was auctioned off years later for millions of pounds.
"It's great to have sold my coat, and the money is going to an excellent cause. Fans often tell me that they remember the day I arrived in Newcastle because I was wearing that coat. Now I'm sure it will be in good hands and well taken care of," Asprilla said in an interview with Chronicle Live on April 23, 2013.
The buyer was Leanne Anderson, who is part of LA Productions, a film and television production company in Newcastle. She met with Faustino to deliver the fine coat and shared traditional English tea at Anderson's house.
"It was very surreal to have him in the house and to have him join us for tea. My brother couldn't believe it. He is a very nice guy, and it was a pleasure to have served him. When I found out that the money from the coat was going to be used for Tino's training school in Colombia, I wanted to help. I'm going to keep it for a while, and then I might donate it to charity," Leanne Anderson said.