Tello started playing football for UE Can Rull, a local club in Sabadell, before joining FC Barcelona’s youth academy in 2010. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his first appearance for the first-team in a 9-0 victory over CD Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey in December 2011.
During his time at Barcelona, Tello played alongside some of the world’s best players, including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Neymar. He was known for his pace, dribbling skills, and precise finishing. In his first season with the club, he scored seven goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.
Despite his promising start, Tello struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Barcelona team. He spent the 2013-14 season on loan at FC Porto, where he scored eight goals in 38 appearances in all competitions. He returned to Barcelona the following season but only made four league appearances before being loaned out again to Serie A side ACF Fiorentina.
Tello’s loan spell at Fiorentina was not as successful as his previous one at Porto, and he struggled for form and game time. He returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2016 and was loaned out yet again, this time to Spanish side Real Betis.
Tello’s loan spell at Betis was the most successful of his career to date. He scored seven goals and provided five assists in 38 appearances in all competitions, helping the club to finish sixth in La Liga and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
In the summer of 2019, Tello signed a permanent deal with Betis, and he has been an important player for the club ever since. He scored nine goals and provided four assists in 37 appearances in all competitions in his first season as a permanent Betis player.
In the current 2020-21 season, Tello has been in scintillating form for Betis, scoring five goals in 19 appearances in La Liga. He has formed a formidable attacking partnership with fellow winger Joaquín, and the two have been instrumental in Betis’ impressive start to the season.
Tello’s performances this season have earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team for the first time in his career. He made his debut in a friendly match against the Netherlands in November 2020 and will be hoping to add to his one international cap in the future.
In conclusion, Cristian Tello is a talented footballer who has had a somewhat turbulent career but has found a new home at Real Betis. He has overcome setbacks and injuries to establish himself as a crucial member of the Betis team and has earned recognition from the Spanish national team. With his pace, skill, and deadly finishing, Tello is a player to watch in La Liga and beyond.