CF Montreal | Alessandro Biello, the boy of the club

“With his son Alessandro in his arms, Mauro Biello is waiting for the representatives of The Press on the balcony of his house. It resides in a peaceful area of ​​Saint-Léonard, facing a park. Gabriele, 3 years old, arrives in turn. He’s seriously grumbling. The photo shoot promises to be a disaster, but a balloon is placed at his feet and he is charmed. Same thing for Alessandro, 13 months old. Like father, like sons? »

These lines, written in 2007, are not ours, but those of our colleague Sophie Allard. Alessandro was 13 months old at the time. Mauro was 34 years old, two seasons removed from his playing retirement. A report published on May 19 of that year, and accompanied by these nice photos, taken by the photojournalist of The Press André Pichette.

Nearly 17 years later, we can finally answer the question formulated by Sophie Allard at the start of her text: absolutely.

On Wednesday, CF Montreal announced that it had awarded a first professional contract to its 17-year-old midfielder Alessandro Biello. The agreement with the player trained at the Academy is for two seasons, and comes with three option years, i.e. until 2028.

“It’s a moment that I will never forget in my life,” said Biello, Thursday morning at the Nutrilait Center, about the signing of his contract. It’s thanks to this club that helped me grow, to take all the steps to be in the position I am in today. »

Biello joined the Impact pre-academy in 2014, at age 8. He joined the club’s Academy in 2019, at the Under-15 level, and has progressed through the ranks to this significant achievement today.

So, Alessandro Biello is not only Mauro’s son. He is also, in a way, a child of CF Montreal. “I have had a connection with this club since I was very young”, notably thanks to his father.

“I experienced so many emotions as a player, and also as a fan,” adds the man for whom Cameron Porter’s goal against Pachuca in 2015 remains his best memory as a fan.

“To be here today, to sign my first professional contract and to live my dream, it’s incredible. »

Of course, comparisons with Mauro will be inevitable, starting with the particularly striking physical similarities. But young Alessandro doesn’t want to worry too much about that for the moment.

“I know that my father created an incredible legacy at this club, which will never be forgotten,” he said. But I am a young player. [Je dois] stay focused, learn, grow and work very hard to one day have a chance to play and help this team. »

Obviously, Biello Sr. contacted his son to congratulate him.

” He called me […] and said he was very proud of me. And I thanked him for everything he has done for me since my childhood. He always gave me advice at the right time. He was always there for me, to support me. »

“He’s not afraid of anyone.”

You can well imagine, dear readers, that the CFM did not offer a contract to Alessandro Biello only for his hair, which could be mistaken for that of his father.

Let Samuel Piette explain to you what makes the Quebec midfielder stand out.

“He’s a very, very good guy technically, but also very intelligent,” says the captain. Despite his young age, he understands football very well. […] He is bigger than me, he is strong, capable of imposing himself, he is not afraid of anyone. »

Biello’s preferred position is in defensive midfield, essentially the same as Piette, in fact.

“In the locker room, he is next to me,” said the veteran. So we’re going to talk to each other even more. »

This is because Biello sees mentors in his captain and in former academician Mathieu Choinière.

“Guys like Mathieu and Sam helped me a lot during camp,” recalls the new member of the CFM senior team. […] They gave me a lot of advice as a young player, because they experienced it too. »

Piette confirms that he has a “special relationship” with Alessandro, since his father Mauro is his national team coach. He also notices a “similar attitude” between the two Biellos.

“He’s a fighter, a winner,” he said. He’s a guy who gives 100%. I think Mauro was like that, as a coach and as a player. »

“Stay focused” while waiting for your turn

In all likelihood, Biello will not go out on loan this season. And this, unlike his sidekick Matteo Schiavoni, who left to join the Forge in the Canadian Premier League after signing a contract with CF Montreal at the same time.

“They told me they wanted me to stay here,” Biello said. For me, right now, it’s about staying focused in training and continuing to learn and grow at the professional level. »

The defensive midfielder has been refining his game in this position since joining the Academy. The problem is that at the Impact currently, the midfield is congested. Piette, Choinière, Nathan Saliba, Victor Wanyama, Rida Zouhir and Ilias Iliadis take precedence over the 17-year-old.

During the training camp, we also saw Biello being used in central defense, due to lack of opportunity in the middle. Barring injuries, combined with absences due to the numerous international competitions that will take place next summer, the young man will have to learn on the outskirts for the moment.

“He is aware of this situation,” says Piette. It’s his first professional year, he has a lot to learn. »

“We knock on wood, but we can have injuries, players who perform less. THE coach [assure que] If you perform well in training, we will give you your chance. With Alessandro’s mentality, I’m not worried about him as this year he’s going to have a chance. »