Alex Telles is celebrating helping Sevilla win the Europa League final over Roma.
One Manchester United player is celebrating European success this season. Alex Telles can add Europa League winner to his CV.
The Brazilian was in the starting line-up as Sevilla came from behind to beat Roma in last night’s final.
It took a penalty shootout for Sevilla to clinch it, handing ex-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho his first ever European final defeat.
Alex Telles wins Europa League
Telles is out on loan at Sevilla for the season after Erik ten Hag decided he was not in his plans.
The Brazilian has had a mixed season for Sevilla, who have struggled in La Liga and changed managers, before recapturing their form in the Europa League.
They even knocked Manchester United out in the quarter-finals, with the Red Devils imploding from 2-0 up to lose 5-2 on aggregate.
Telles played only five minutes of these ties but he was back in the starting line up for last night’s final.
He played 94 minutes of a game which went to extra-time and penalties after finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, after Roma took a first half lead.
Telles played well, creating two chances and defended effectively, before Sevilla brought Gonzalo Montiel on in his place in extra-time.
It was a happier turnaround for Telles after ending up on the losing side for Manchester United in the Europa League final in 2021. He did take a penalty in that shootout, but wasn’t needed to last night.
Winning the Europa League makes his stint a success, and there is a good chance after this that Sevilla look to sign him permanently, adding a small fee to United’s transfer budget.
Heartbreak for ex-United trio
Three former Manchester United men were on the losing side, including Jose Mourinho in the Roma dugout. He was looking to follow up last year’s Europa Conference League success.
After the game Mourinho was seen throwing his runners-up medal into the crowd in frustration.
Chris Smalling and Nemanja Matic featured in the starting line-up and completed the game, although played no part in the penalty shootout.
Unlike Telles, this was a double Europa League heartbreak for Matic. At least he played in this one. In Gdansk two years ago he was overlooked.