Alex Telles: Athlete's Biography

Alex Telles' European adventure began in 2014 when he joined Turkish giants Galatasaray. During his time in Turkey, Telles won the Turkish League title, two Turkish Cups, and the Turkish Super Cup. His time at "Galatasaray" established him as a top-quality left-back with a nack for contributing to attacks.

After impressing in Turkey, Telles had a brief loan spell at "Inter Milan" in the 2015-16 season, getting his first taste of Serie A football. However, it was at FC Porto where Telles truly blossomed into a world-class talent. From 2016 to 2020, he made nearly 200 appearances for the Portuguese club, winning 2 Portuguese league titles, the Portuguese Cup, and the Portuguese Super Cup. His crossing ability and set-piece prowess became legendary at Porto. Telles' ability to deliver quality balls into the box made him a key asset for the team.

In 2020, Telles secured a big move to "Manchester United" for €18 million, where he competed with Luke Shaw for the left-back position. Though he didn't always get regular playing time at United, he showed glimpses of his quality when given the chance. During the 2022-23 season, Telles went on loan to "Sevilla", where he was part of the team that won the UEFA Europa Leauge.

After his European stint, Telles had a brief spell at "Al Nassr" in the Saudi Pro League, before returning to his native Brazil with "Botafogo" in 2024. At Botafogo, he has already made a significant impact, contributing to the club's historic Copa Libertadores victory and earning a place in the Copa Libertadores Team of the Turnament.

Alex Nicolao Telles, commonly known as Alex Telles, is a Brazilian footbal player who has made a name for himself as a dynamic and attack-minded left-back. Born on December 15, 1992, in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, Telles currently plays for "Botafogo FR" in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Standing at 181cm, the Brazilian defender possesses a perfect blend of phisical attributes and technical skills that have allowed him to compete at the highest level across multiple leages throughout his career. His journey from Brazil to Europe and back has been marked by consistent performances and an ability to contribute significantly in both defensive and offensive phases of the game.

Throughout his career, Alex Telles has accumulated an impressive collection of team and individual honors. During his time at "FC Porto", he was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year for 3 consecutive seasons, showcasing his consistency at the top level. He was also twice the top assist provider in Portugal's top flight during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons - a remarkable achievement for a defender.

In 2018, Telles was recognized as "FC Porto's" Player of the Year, highlighting his importance to the team beyond just his defensive duties. His trophy cabinet includes 1 Turkish League title, two Turkish Cups, and one Turkish Super Cup from his time at "Galatasaray". With "FC Porto", he added two Portuguese league titles, a Portuguese Cup, and a Portuguese Super Cup.

More recently, Telles won the UEFA Europa League with "Sevilla" during his loan spell in 2022-23, and has been part of "Botafogo's" historic Copa Libertadores triumph. His performances in South America earned him places in both the Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament and the South American Team of the Year for 2024.

On the international stage, Telles made his Brazil national team debut in 2019 and was selected for the 2022 World Cup squad, although an injury unfortunately ruled him out during the tournament.

Alex Telles represents the evolution of the full-back position in modern football. His career trajectory shows how attacking full-backs have become increasingly valuable in the contemporary game. What sets Telles apart is his ability to contribute significantly to his team's offensive output while maintaining defensive stability.

Telles has been particularly influential in highlighting the importance of good crossing from wide areas. In an era where many teams pack the central areas, his ability to deliver quality balls from the left flank provides a crucial alternative route to goal. The Brazilian has shown that assist numbers aren't just for midfielders and forwards - defenders too can be creative forces.

His success across multiple leagues - from Brazil to Turkey, Portugal, England, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and back to Brazil - demonstrates his adaptability and consistent quality. This versatility makes him a model for young full-backs aspiring to succeed in different tactical systems and footballing cultures.

At "Botafogo", Telles has brought his wealth of European experience back to South American fotball. His presence elevates the standard of play and provides valuable knowledge to younger teammates. While perhaps not receiving the global recognition of some attacking full-backs like Marcelo or Dani Alves, Telles has carved out a respectable career that showcases the importance of specialization and technical excellence in specific aspects of the game.