In this conversation with Flashscore, Solano revisited some of them, from Alan Shearer’s commanding presence to the transformative leadership of the legendary Sir Bobby Robson.
'Newcastle has always been a massive club'
"Newcastle has always been a massive club, but they’ve lacked trophies. I remember in my first year, we played in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. The city was desperate to win something. The buildup was insane - people treated it like the World Cup. For them, winning that trophy was like Peru winning the World Cup.
"I’m happy because I still have a connection with the club. They treat former players wonderfully, almost like ambassadors. When I’m in England, I represent the club with pride.
"In Newcastle, the whole city breathes football. You don’t see shirts from other teams. You’re born a Newcastle fan. That’s what I value most about their supporters - their loyalty, even without winning titles."
"I still visit the kitmen, who’ve been there since my playing days. You walk around the city, and people recognise me as if I’d just retired a few weeks ago. The affection is immense.
"I’m happy for the club and the city. I hope they get back into the Champions League. It’s a tough competition, always full of big clubs. Newcastle is in that mix now, like Dortmund or Atletico.
"Maybe one day they’ll win the league - that would be the next big step, especially with the new Saudi owners. But it’s a process. No matter how much money you have, nothing guarantees trophies."
'Tino Asprilla was adored by the fans'
"Tino was a star - the fans adore him. He was only there a short time, a year and a half, while I was there eight or nine years.
"It’s like at Boca: I left right before they started winning everything under Bianchi. Tino will always be remembered for those three goals against Barcelona, that sealed his legacy.
"Back then, football was more direct. The number nine would flick the ball on, and Tino would pounce on the second balls with his skill and long strides.
"I don’t know if he was fast, but he had great technique. He did well, though his mind was set on moving to Parma.
"Newcastle is a small city, about 250,000 people. It gets dark at 3:00 pm for seven months. It’s a football city, but not for everyone. I loved it. Tino? I don’t think he did as much… though he did enjoy the nightlife.
"...In cities like Newcastle, Liverpool, or Manchester, where there’s not as much to do, football becomes everything. That creates a strong identity.
"In London, it’s different - there are more distractions. In Newcastle, we had Sunderland as our local rivals, but the whole city lives for the club. Pubs are packed on weekends - football and beer are part of the culture."
'Alan Shearer was always training'
"(Alan Shearer is) a fantastic person. He took a liking to me because I kept assisting him. He was a classic number nine - not the quickest, but with an incredible shot and great heading ability.
"He was always training: crosses, penalties, free kicks. He was very demanding of himself. Back then, centre-backs would clatter you, and he’d respond with pure technique.
"Shearer is the kind of striker you barely see anymore. Now everything is more fluid: false nines, wingers cutting inside… Even classic 10s are rare. The game has changed. But Shearer, Ferguson, and others from that era were true penalty-box killers.
"Alan was competitive. When new strikers arrived, he made it clear he was the captain. With (Craig) Bellamy, for example, there was tension because Bellamy was fast and sometimes wouldn’t pass. Alan would always remind him: ‘I’m the boss here.’
"But I had a good relationship with everyone. We stayed great friends."
'Sir Bobby Robson was strict but fair'
"A great manager, though we got him when he was older. Kenny Dalglish signed me, but he was sacked after a few months. Then came Ruud Gullit, who was young and inexperienced. He struggled to manage a squad full of veterans and was eventually fired after benching Shearer in a derby.
"Then Bobby Robson arrived. He knew the club’s environment and brought order from day one. He had that grandfatherly style - strict but fair. ‘We eat at 12 when I sit down, not before.’ That united the group. On his debut, we beat Sheffield Wednesday 8-1. We qualified for the Champions League multiple times under him.
"Sadly, over time, I fell out of favour. I moved to Aston Villa because I wasn’t playing. We talked it out respectfully. He told me he loved me, but I needed minutes. I’ll always appreciate him. He was wise, experienced, and got the team competing in Europe again."
The quiet leaders: Given and Speed
"I still have a great relationship with Shay Given - he’s in broadcasting now. On the pitch, he was an amazing keeper, always standing out because our defence was a bit shaky" (laughs).
"(Gary Speed) was an incredible leader. My English wasn’t great, and he was the only one who really tried to talk to me. Always pushing, always motivating. His death was a huge tragedy. Nobody saw it coming."
Howe, Isak and Newcastle’s future
Solano still follows the club closely and praised manager Eddie Howe: "He’s young, very humble. I met him, and he struck me as a fantastic person.
"He’s achieved things nobody expected so quickly - Champions League qualification and the Carabao Cup. Now he’s a hero in the city."
And what about star striker Alexander Isak? "First, they have to renew his contract. It’s tough when clubs like Real Madrid come calling. But if Newcastle wants to keep growing, they need to hold on to players like him.
"If they sell him, it’ll be hard to find someone as good."