Alex Telles’s sister Hellen leads Apafut as CEO, intent on forging her own name | OneFootball

Since July, Hellen Telles, sister of Alex Telles of Botafogo, has been CEO at Apafut, leading the Caxias do Sul club’s promotion tilt in Rio Grande do Sul’s Divisão de Acesso.

According to Globo.com, she oversees strategy across football, marketing, commercial, medical and academy areas, and led recruitment for the club’s Divisão de Acesso debut. With a lean staff, she also handles day-to-day operations when needed.

Founded in 2011, Apafut has almost 400 academy players and turned professional in 2024. Under Telles, the club earned the CBF training-club seal, secured second-tier survival and reached the quarter-finals on Sunday. A UCS physical education graduate, she previously interned at the club.

Between 2015 and 2023 she managed brother Alex’s career, working with agent Pini Zahavi on moves to Manchester United, Sevilla and Al-Nassr. Seeking her own path, she studied club management at Real Madrid, earned UEFA certification and is among about 5% of FIFA-licensed agents. She also mentors seven player families.

Two of her three goals are met, the CBF seal and divisional status, and she is likely to remain in 2027 to chase the last one, exporting players. She says strong recruitment and Gauchão minutes create a product for sale. Funding comes from sponsors, federation and city support and the community, with athletes as future assets and a possible move to SAF status.

Telles wants to inspire more women into football leadership, citing Leila Pereira and Rafaela Pimenta as examples. At Apafut she is one of three women and believes growing professional standards will open seats based on competence.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”