As a youth, Sánchez played in the youth academy of América de Cali, but after his parents moved he transferred to Atlético Nacional, where he was educated under the wings of Juan Carlos Osorio.
Sebagai seorang pemuda, Sánchez bermain di akademi pemuda América de Cali, tetapi setelah orang tuanya pindah dia dipindahkan ke Atlético Nacional, di mana dia dididik di bawah asuhan pemain sayap Juan Carlos Osorio.