Rodrigo Tello pays visit to the Sporting Academy

His free-kick goal against FC Porto is probably the first thing that springs to mind when Sporting fans think of Rodrigo Tello. Capable of playing both left-back and left wing, the Chilean spent a total of six seasons at Alvalade and was part of the 2001/2002 championship winning squad. He was back in Lisbon this week and he couldn't turn down the opportunity to visit the Sporting Academy.

"I am really happy to be back home. From when I arrived until i left in 2007 I learnt a lot here, as a person and as a player. I learnt a lot about football, but also a lot of values as well. It was a great league win for us, but it doesn't seem real that it was the last time the club won it. With the quality this club has, we should have won it more times."

The Chilean continues to follow Sporting, paying particular attention to his fellow countrymen who have since played in Alvalade: "I have always followed the club. Various players asked me about Sporting, like Valdés, Matías Fernandes and Rubio. I always told them it is a great club, with a very good academy and incredible fans."

"I finished my career and I have my businesses in Chile. I have opened a hotel, but my main projects are with young players. I have a few here in Portugal and I want to bring some more over to Europe", finished Tello.