Cristian Tello retires after 16-year career, twice close to Valencia move | OneFootball

Cristian Tello has announced his retirement at 35, drawing a line under a 16-year career. The Sabadell-born Spain international was twice within reach of a Valencia CF move.

The player said in a post that it was a difficult day and that the time had come to leave professional football, adding he had never imagined enjoying 16 years at the highest level.

Valencia CF explored a deal in 2016 while he belonged to Barcelona after a loan at Fiorentina. That summer also featured André Gomes joining Barcelona and Martín Montoya arriving at Mestalla, but economic terms set by Peter Lim complicated talks and Tello did not sign.

Tello broke through at Barcelona in 2011/12 after stepping up from the B team following a switch from Espanyol. He made 86 first-team appearances and scored 20 goals, then moved through Porto and Fiorentina before five seasons at Real Betis, who paid €4 million.

Out of contract in 2022, he considered LaLiga options including Valencia CF yet chose Los Angeles FC. Valencia CF instead brought in Samu Lino on loan from Atlético Madrid.

With Betis he lifted the 2022 Copa del Rey against Valencia CF at La Cartuja, converting in the shootout after coming on in extra time, in what proved his final game for the club. He later joined Al-Fateh, Al-Orobah and Palm City in Dubai.

He called himself privileged after playing in several countries, but departs with the lingering question of what might have been had Mestalla been his destination.

Source: Superdeporte

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