Alex Telles is a Brazilian professional footballer who was recently acquired by Manchester United in the summer transfer window of 2020 from FC Porto for a reported 15.4 million pounds transfer fee excluding some addons.
Telles is a quick and a really talented left back who was once expected to replace fellow Brazilian Filipe Luis in the Chelsea back line in 2015. His offensive style of football along with a decent work ethic and an ability to constantly bombard forward to link midfield to attack while on the final third off the pitch is now widely known across Europe.
He established his game during his time at FC Porto and his career has always seen an upward growth since moving to Portugal. After having a nervous time in the back with Luke Shaw in the last two seasons, Manchester United finally decided to sign a left back to replace or compete with the Englishman. So without further ado let’s dive into some interesting facts about Alex Telles:
1) Incredibly Fast as a Kid!
Alex Nicolao Telles was born in Caxias do Sul, a city in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, on 15 December 1992. He was graced with love and affection from his parents and elder sister. His sister was overprotective of him and had an unfathomable bond with him. As a kid, Alex was incredibly fast at running. His speed was somewhat unbelievable and his football in friends could not catch hold of him while playing in the streets of Brazil. The young energetic boy showed some glimpses of his current game which is dominated by attacking down the lines, since those early days. His journey to becoming a professional footballer was not easy as he grew up in a middle class family.
2) Telles has an Italian ancestry
Like many of the Brazilians having Italian connections, Alex also holds an Italian passport because of his grandparents. They migrated to Brazil during the 20th century to a much Italian centric neighborhood of Rio Grande do Sul which was created by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. Alex could have represented Italy because of his Italian heritage. Current team mate Edinson Cavani also has an Italian passport because of his ancestral heritage which belongs to Italy.
3) Started with Juventude and then set sailed to Turkey!
After playing in the streets of Brazil for quite a few years Telles gradually picked up the interest of football along with his friends and when he turned 8 he was sure to make a career out of the beautiful game. He joined Esporte Clube Juventude, which is known to have an outstanding youth academy. His ability to aggressively attack the ball and to fall back at times to give crunching tackles made him an at alternative for a full back. Within a very short time Brazilian Giants Gremio spotted the young left back and signed him for a shot to play in the Brazil’s Top Division. In his first full season with Gremio, he played for 36 games, scoring once and completing a successful year in the back line. His talent was noticed across Europe and Turkish club Galatasaray were the ones who decided to sign him on a permanent deal in 2014 for 6 million euros. He played 2 full seasons for the Turkish Club, where he won one league title and three domestic cups.
4) He was inching closer to join Chelsea Back in 2015
In the summer transfer window of 2015 Chelsea were looking for a left back to replace Brazilian Filipe Luis as the Brazilian departed for Atletico Madrid. Alex Telles was one of the few options identified by the Chelsea board. Newspapers reported that Chelsea had submitted a bid for the Brazilian which was then rejected by Galatasaray. Manager Hamza Hamzaoglu set in a press conference that Galatasaray would only be tempted by an acceptable offer.
5) Established himself with a move to FC Porto
After an unsuccessful move to Chelsea Alex instead transferred to Italy with inter Milan on a 1-year loan deal to reunite with manager Roberto Mancini. He did not have the game time he expected and the move was termed as another down-step for the Brazilian. In the following your Galatasaray accepted to offload the left back and FC Porto acquired his services for a reported 6.5 million Euros. He then amassed closed 130 appearances for Portuguese club and was many a times nominated as the best defender in the Premeira Liga. He established himself as one of the only few full backs who had more than 30 contributions for goals and assists from the period of 2016 to 2020.
6) Was open to represent the ‘Azzurri’!
Despite being born in Brazil Alex who is an Italian passport because of his grandparents and hence was eligible to represent the Italian national team. In an interview in the past he was quoted saying,
“I would welcome a call-up from the Azzurri. I hold an Italian Passport because of my Grandparents and I feel Italian as for my roots”.
Despite this, in March 2019 he received his first international call up from the Brazilian national team where he made his debut in a friendly against Panama on 23rd March 2019. Since then he has gone on to represent Brazil four times.
7) Blistering Pace on FIFA21
The pacy left back has an overall rating off 84 on FIFA 21. He has a pace rating of 85 and a passing of 83 nearly as good as a midfielder. His crossing skills on the pitch can be replicated on the game as he has a rating of 89 for delivering curling free-kicks and pin point crosses. He has been known for playing lengthy games and has a stamina rating of a mammoth 91.
8) Donates back to the society in more than one way!
Alex Telles was once quoted saying,
“Being a player is a dream. My dad didn’t realize I am living for him. I am happy to accomplish that goal”.
Alex knows the difficulties young children have had to face while growing up and the problems surrounding the youngsters in shanty Brazilian neighbourhoods. He has been actively involved in social causes and philanthropic missions like the ‘Os Maiores Pequenos Herois’ project against cancer. He has had numerous trips to contribute his valuable time in the fight of Cancer for young children.
9) Loves a Beach Day!
Alex Telles loves an off day and to spend time on the beach. He has developed an avid interest to visit beaches and this helps him cool off after a tiring football season. He has the company of his friends to relax and re-energize himself. He likes to take some time out in yachts and likes surfing around as well.
10) His left arm is fully inked!
Alex Telles has his left arm all inked with tattoos of various things he finds special. He has tattoos of birds, an eye and of a ‘yo’ sign on his right wrist. He has an odd perspective of inking similar to Brazillian footballer Anderson Talisca. He is a big fan of getting inked and fans generally admire his glamourous tattoos.
In Picture – Alex Telles unconsciously displays his tattoos.
11) Music is Telles’ second choice and the man can sing!
Together with his ability to take on defenders one after the other Alex loves taking a challenge head on. He loves music and singing is one of his passions. He was spotted sometime back playing his guitar and singing along in a picture. He might’ve been a professional singer had he not made it big on the football pitch.
12) Alex is married to the stunning Pricila Minuzzo!
Alex Telles is married to Brazillian Pricila Minuzzo since 2018. The two have been dating since early 2012 and got married in a ceremony at the Sao Pelegrino Church in their hometown Caixas do Sul. Joao Pedro Gregol, one of the world’s most famous Violinist performed on their wedding day. Pricila is the owner of an organisation called the “Fluencia Hip Hop House” which is known for contributions to social transformation and emancipation. The two have a couple of dogs together to keep them company.
13) Earns close to a whopping 120K a week at Manchester United!
Alex Telles has an estimated net-worth between 3 Million Dollars and 5 million dollars but the exact figure has been difficult to be found because of his extreme private lifestyle. He owns a house in Brazil and is also fond of fast cars. He commands a salary of close to 120000 pounds a week at Manchester United which was a bumper pay-rise in comparison to his sub 75000 pounds a week contract at FC Porto.
