Brazil defender has set his sights on more success after helping Botafogo secure Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Serie A glory.
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Alex Telles helped fire Botafogo to Copa Libertadores glory
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Full-back now has his sights set on FIFA Intercontinental Cup
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Brazilian side take on Pachuca in their first game on Wednesday
Alex Telles was fouled during the final of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores. As he fell to the ground in the iconic Monumental stadium, he dropped a prayer bead that he had been carrying in his shorts. The moment revealed the superstition that the full-back has held throughout his career, and one which paid dividends in the final.
With the help of his goal from the penalty spot – his first of 2024 – Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 as they were crowned South American champions for the very first time, and in doing so clinched qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™, with O Glorioso playing their first game of the latter on Wednesday against Mexican side Pachuca.
“It is a prayer bead that I got years ago from my father, from my grandmother. I’ve used it ever since I turned professional, since I was at Juventude 15 years ago”, the full-back explained after winning the Brazilian Serie A title on Sunday.
“That is the same prayer bead, it has always been with me. I tried putting it inside my shorts once and it didn’t fall out. And I said, ‘From now on, this prayer bead is coming with me’. It has come with me all the way from Juventude to the World Cup [Qatar 2022]. This is a symbol of my career and my family history.”
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The bond between the full-back’s faith and superstition and his lucky charm could not have found a better place to triumph. Botafogo fans are renowned for believing in luck and misfortune. And there is one good reason for that: Zagallo.
A club legend as both a player and coach, the man known as the Old Wolf always made a point of honouring his superstitions, particularly surrounding the number 13, which he treated as a symbol of good luck on and off the pitch. The remarkable career of Sebastian Abreu – affectionately known as The Madman – at the club, wearing the No13 shirt, only reinforces that belief.
Whether it is a coincidence or not, the number also holds a special place in the heart of Alex Telles, who has worn it at different stages of his career, including at Porto where he enjoyed his most successful spell prior to joining Botafogo.
“Thirteen is a special number for me. Since I turned professional that number has followed me. I had a very fruitful spell at Porto wearing that number, so I have felt this connection with it”, Alex Telles said during his presentation in September.
“‘Telles at Fogão’ [a Botafogo nickname] has 13 letters!”
What is clear is that luck without hard work amounts to nothing, but Alex Telles has done all he can to justify any superstitions surrounding his signing. Following the injury to Cuiabano, Alex Telles joined O Glorioso at the very end of the Brazilian transfer window. He wasted no time in making the position his own.
Botafogo’s two titles this year have eased the previous malaise felt at the club, as they ended a trophyless run stretching back to their league title in 1995. It has also been a kind of personal redemption for Alex Telles, who went to the last World Cup with the Selecao but suffered a serious injury to his right knee.
If that frustration served as fuel for Botafogo‘s impressive 2024 season, Alex Telles has no issue with people still doubting the team. The left-back knows that the club may go into the Club World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup as outsiders, but that does not phase him.
“I am very happy, it is a goal I set myself for my career – they were two titles I hadn’t won. I came to the right place”, he said. “I think [the goal] is to win everything. People really doubted us. We went out there and showed what we can do. Let’s hope they keep doubting us so that we can keep proving them wrong.”
