Alex Telles

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Alex Telles
Telles with Manchester United in 2021
Personal information
Full name Alex Nicolao Telles[1]
Date of birth (1992-12-15) 15 December 1992 (age 33)[1]
Place of birth Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Botafogo
Number 13
Youth career
2007–2011 Juventude
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Juventude 28 (2)
2013–2014 Grêmio 42 (1)
2014–2016 Galatasaray 39 (2)
2015–2016 → Inter Milan (loan) 21 (0)
2016–2020 Porto 129 (21)
2020–2023 Manchester United 30 (0)
2022–2023 → Sevilla (loan) 27 (0)
2023–2024 Al-Nassr 29 (2)
2024– Botafogo 41 (5)
International career‡
2019– Brazil 12 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 03:23, 8 December 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:11, 20 June 2023 (UTC)

Alex Nicolao Telles (Brazilian Portuguese: [aˈlɛks ˈtɛlis]; born 15 December 1992) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo and the Brazil national team.

Telles started his career at Brazilian Série D side Juventude, before being sold to Série A side Grêmio in 2013. That year, he was voted the best left-back in the league.[2] In January 2014, Telles signed with Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray, winning various trophies including a league title, two Turkish Cups and the Turkish Super Cup, only to be loaned to Serie A team Inter Milan during the 2015–16 season.

In July 2016, Telles was sold to Primeira Liga side FC Porto, where he established himself as one of the best left-backs in the league. He made almost 200 appearances for Porto and won four trophies, including two league titles, one Taça de Portugal and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, as well as being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons. Telles' performances sparked the interest of several European clubs, and in October 2020, he signed for Manchester United for an initial €18 million (£15.4 million).

Born in Brazil, Telles also holds Italian citizenship, but ended up representing Brazil at international level. He made his senior international debut in 2019.

Club career

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Juventude and Grêmio

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Telles was born in Caxias do Sul, a city in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. At the age of eight, he began playing football with the neighbouring kids and was later enrolled to a youth academy of Esporte Clube Juventude.

Telles began his professional career with Juventude, making his debut on 24 January 2011 against São José-PA.[3] He scored his first goal on 20 August in a 1–1 home draw against Cruzeiro.[4]

In December, Telles was transferred to Grêmio after a partnership was established with Juventude.[5] He made his Grêmio debut on 3 February 2013 against Internacional.[6] On 26 May, Telles made his Série A debut, starting in a 2–0 home win against Náutico.[7]

Galatasaray

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Telles with Galatasaray in 2014

On 22 January 2014, after long negotiations, Telles completed a move to Turkish club Galatasaray for €6 million, signing a contract that would keep him with the club until 2018.[8] He made his debut two weeks later, starting in a 3–0 win against Tokatspor for the campaign's Turkish Cup, and made his maiden Süper Lig debut in a 3–0 home victory against Eskişehirspor on 8 February 2014.[9] Telles made his first assist for the club against Antalyaspor in a 2–2 away game on 17 February.[10] He also scored his first goal for Galatasaray against Akhisar Belediyespor on 8 March in a 6–1 home win.[11]

In August 2015, there were rumours[where?] mentioning Telles as a good choice to fill the place made by the departure of left-back Filipe Luís at Chelsea. In response to the rumour, Galatasaray manager Hamza Hamzaoğlu said the club would only be tempted by an acceptable offer.[citation needed]

Loan to Inter Milan

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On 31 August 2015, Galatasaray agreed to let Telles join Italian club Internazionale of Serie A on a one-year loan for a €1.3 million fee, in addition to €250,000 if Inter qualify for the group stage of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League.[12] The deal included a buyout option for €8.5 million,[12] letting Internazionale make the move permanent when the loan deal is finished.[13] Telles reunited with Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini in Italy, who previously coached him at Galatasaray.[14]

He made his debut for the club on 13 September in the 2015–16 Serie A matchday 3 against city rivals Milan, playing the entirety of the match as Inter won 1–0.[15]

Porto

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Telles playing for Porto in 2018

On 12 July 2016, Portuguese side FC Porto announced the signing of Telles for a €6.5 million fee. According to a Galatasaray press release, the Istanbul club reserved a further 10% of any added value in a future transfer deal.[16] The following day, after signing a five-year contract, he stated: "I ambition titles, I ambition a very beautiful story. I have recently commented with my relatives that I do not want to come here in passing, I want to leave a legacy."[17] On 12 August, in a 3–1 away win against Rio Ave, he marked his league debut and first competitive match with a poor performance and subsequent expulsion.[18] Despite the rough start, Telles gradually cemented himself in the team's starting eleven, scoring his first goal when facing rivals Boavista in a 3–1 home victory at Estádio do Dragão.[19]

Manchester United

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On 5 October 2020, Manchester United had agreed a deal in principle to sign Telles for a fee believed to be £15.4 million.[20] The transfer was completed and Telles was announced as a United player that day.[21][22][23] He made his debut playing as a left wing-back on 20 October in a 2–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League group stage.[24] On 29 September 2021, Telles scored his first goal for Manchester United with a left-footed volley from outside the penalty area in a 2–1 home win against Villarreal CF in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage.[25]

Loan to Sevilla

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On 4 August 2022, Telles was loaned to La Liga club Sevilla until the end of the 2022–23 season.[26][27]

Al-Nassr

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On 23 July 2023 Alex Telles was introduced by Al-Nassr, signing a contract valid until 2025. According to European media, the transfer fee was approximately €7 million (R$38 million).[28]

On 25 July, head coach Luís Castro made Telles' debut in a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain, resulting in a 0–0 tie in Japan.[29]

Despite being used often throughout the 2023-24 season, participating in 40 games, Alex Telles' contract was mutually canceled on 2 September 2024. His contract with the Saudi club was originally scheduled to last until June 2025, the decision was made because of the club's new plans, not because of bad performances by Telles, as he was loved by the fans for how much passion he had for the club.[30][31]

Botafogo

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On 3 September 2024, Telles returned to Brazil and signed for Botafogo on a 2-year contract that ends on 31 December 2026. On 1 December, 2024, Telles was named in the starting 11 for Botafogo in the Copa Libertadores final. In that game, Telles scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win for a historical title.[32]

International career

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Although he was born in Brazil, Telles also has an Italian passport,[33] making him in the past eligible to represent Italy national team.[33] In October 2016, Telles said that he would "welcome" a call-up from the "Azzurri", adding that his great-grandparents are Italian and he feels Italian.[34] In March 2019, however, he received his first call-up to the Brazil national team.[35] He made his debut for Brazil on 23 March 2019 in a friendly against Panama, as a starter.[36]

On 7 November 2022, Telles was named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[37] He was ruled out for the rest of the competition after picking up a right knee injury in the final group stage match against Cameroon.[38]

Style of play

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Telles is an offensive full back and is described as a skilled, quick and playmaking defender.[39]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 7 December 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Juventude 2011[40] Série D 4 1 0 0 — — 11[c] 0 15 1
2012[40] 9 1 2 0 — — 4[c] 0 15 1
Total 13 2 2 0 — — 15 0 30 2
Grêmio 2013[40] Série A 36 1 6 0 — 3[d] 0 6[c] 0 51 1
Galatasaray 2013–14[40] Süper Lig 15 1 4 0 — 2[e] 0 — 21 1
2014–15[40] 22 1 8 0 — 5[e] 0 1[f] 0 36 1
2015–16[40] 2 0 — — — 1[f] 0 3 0
Total 39 2 12 0 — 7 0 2 0 60 2
Inter Milan (loan) 2015–16[40] Serie A 21 0 1 0 — — — 22 0
Porto 2016–17[40] Primeira Liga 32 1 2 0 2 0 9[e] 0 — 45 1
2017–18[40] 30 3 5 0 3 0 7[e] 1 — 45 4
2018–19[40] 33 4 5 1 4 0 10[e] 1 1[g] 0 53 6
2019–20[40] 31 11 5 1 3 1 10[h] 0 — 49 13
2020–21[40] 3 2 — — — — 3 2
Total 129 21 17 2 12 1 36 2 1 0 195 26
Manchester United 2020–21[40] Premier League 9 0 3 0 1 0 11[i] 0 — 24 0
2021–22[41] 21 0 0 0 1 0 4[e] 1 — 26 1
Total 30 0 3 0 2 0 15 1 — 50 1
Sevilla (loan) 2022–23[42] La Liga 27 0 0 0 — 11[j] 0 — 38 0
Al-Nassr 2023–24[40] Saudi Pro League 27 2 4 0 — 2[k] 1 7[l] 0 40 3
2024–25[40] 2 0 — — — 2[m] 0 4 0
Total 29 2 4 0 — 2 1 9 0 44 3
Botafogo 2024 Série A 11 0 — — 5[d] 1 0 0 16 1
2025 27 5 6 2 — 8[d] 0 10[n] 0 51 7
Total 38 5 6 2 — 13 0 10 0 67 8
Career total 362 33 51 4 14 1 87 5 43 0 557 43
  1. ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Turkish Cup, Coppa Italia, Taça de Portugal, FA Cup, King's Cup
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga, EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in Campeonato Gaúcho
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  5. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ a b Appearance in Turkish Super Cup
  7. ^ Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  8. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League
  11. ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League
  12. ^ One appearance in Saudi Super Cup, six appearances in Arab Club Champions Cup
  13. ^ Appearances in Saudi Super Cup
  14. ^ Three appearances in Campeonato Carioca, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil, two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, four appearances in FIFA Club World Cup

International

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As of match played 20 June 2023[43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 2019 1 0
2020 3 0
2021 0 0
2022 6 0
2023 2 0
Total 12 0

Honours

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Juventude

Galatasaray

Porto

Sevilla

Al-Nassr

Botafogo

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ EC São José vs. Juventude 1–2; Global Sports Media, 24 January 2011
  4. ^ Juventude-RS 1 x 1 Cruzeiro-RS – Decepção alviverde em Caxias do Sul! (Juventude-RS 1–1 Cruzeiro-RS — Alviverde disappointment in Caxias do Sul!); Futebol Interior, 20 August 2011 (in Portuguese)
  5. ^ Grêmio contrata lateral esquerdo Alex Telles e encaminha parceria com o Juventude (Grêmio signs left back Alex Telles and pushes partnership with Juventude forward); UOL Esporte, 12 December 2012 (in Portuguese)
  6. ^ Deu a lógica: em Gre-Nal quente, Inter vence os reservas do Grêmio; Globo Esporte, 3 February 2013 (in Portuguese)
  7. ^ Grêmio cumpre promessa, joga bem e vence Náutico pelo Brasileirão; Globo Esporte, 26 May 2013 (in Portuguese)
  8. ^ Alex Telles Galatasaray'da [Alex Telles to Galatasaray]; Galatasaray S.K., 22 January 2014 (in Turkish)
  9. ^ Tokatspor 0–3 Galatasaray Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine; Galatasaray S.K., 5 February 2014 (in Turkish)
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]].
  • Alex Telles at ForaDeJogo (archived)Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Alex Telles at SoccerwayLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Alex Telles – UEFA competition record (archive)Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Alex Telles at National-Football-Teams.comLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Alex Telles at the Turkish Football FederationLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Grêmio profile (in Portuguese) (archived 17 August 2013)
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