CF Montréal’s Alessandro Biello’s Pre-Match Ritual Will Make You Laugh — Pasta, Panic and Perfect Passing!
You watch a young midfielder step onto the pitch and quickly notice his composure. Alessandro Biello, who grew up in CF Montréal’s academy, plays with a maturity that’s unusual for his age.
He’s already jumped from youth standout to professional, picking up minutes in Major League Soccer. Now, he’s gaining valuable experience on loan with HFX Wanderers FC. His path shows steady growth, but there are flashes that make you think he could be a real name in Canadian soccer someday.
Born in Montréal, Québec, and having gone to Collège de Montréal, you can see how his local roots shape his style. From those first days with FC St-Léonard to a decade in CF Montréal’s academy, his journey feels intentional, never hurried.
That early foundation gave him technical skill and tactical awareness. He can compete at higher levels because of it.
Now, with the Wanderers, you get to see him adapt to a new league and a different playing style. Each match is a chance to watch how his vision, passing, and positioning hold up in the Canadian Premier League. His story’s still just getting started, but there’s something there that makes you want to keep watching.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Alessandro Biello’s path is shaped by deep Montréal roots and a family that lives and breathes soccer. His father’s long career in Canadian soccer left a mark, and you can see that influence in Alessandro’s development.
Family and Montréal Roots
Growing up in Montréal, Québec, soccer isn’t just a sport—it’s a family tradition. Born on April 7, 2006, Alessandro Simone Biello entered a household already connected to CF Montréal thanks to his dad’s long association with the club.
The Biello family’s history with the team runs deep. Mauro Biello played for the Montreal Impact for almost twenty years, then moved into coaching.
Alessandro joined the CF Montréal Pre-Academy at the Under-8 level in 2014. That kicked off a ten-year journey through the club’s youth system.
He also got his start at FC St-Léonard, playing there from age four. Those early years definitely set the tone for what was to come.
Birthplace: Montréal, Québec
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Midfielder
College: N/A – turned pro straight from the academy
Influence of Mauro Biello
You just can’t talk about Alessandro’s career without mentioning Mauro Biello. Mauro coached CF Montréal from 2015 to 2017 and is now the interim head coach of the Canadian men’s national team.
That connection gave Alessandro a front-row seat to professional soccer. He grew up around training sessions, matchdays, and the locker room atmosphere.
Mauro offered advice, but he didn’t overdo it. Alessandro says his dad focused on things like discipline, positioning, and reading the game—especially when it mattered most. That guidance helped him move from academy matches to signing his Homegrown Player deal with CF Montréal.
| Year | Level | Club | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ligue1 Québec | CF Montréal Academy | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | Canada U20 | National Team | 4 | 1 |
Québec Soccer Culture
In Québec, hockey still grabs most of the headlines, but soccer’s carved out its own space. Montréal’s multicultural vibe really fuels the sport, with influences from Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
The province’s soccer infrastructure has improved. Players like Alessandro now have access to better coaching and more competitive leagues.
The rise of the Canadian Premier League and the CF Montréal academy has made the path to pro soccer clearer. Events like the CONCACAF U17 Championship and the FIFA U17 World Cup gave Alessandro international experience early. Those tournaments tested his skills and proved that Québec can produce players ready for the world stage.
Youth Career and Development
Alessandro Biello’s journey to pro soccer shows steady growth, early technical training, and lots of exposure to real competition. He’s had structured academy work, leadership roles, and international youth games that pushed him to improve.
FC St-Léonard Beginnings
You first laced up your boots with FC St-Léonard at just four years old. The club’s grassroots setup in Montréal had small-sided games and coaches who really paid attention.
You learned the basics—passing under pressure, reading the game, and keeping the ball. The matches were local but competitive, and they helped you make quick decisions.
By age eight, you started to stand out. Coaches noticed your calmness in midfield and your knack for linking play between defense and attack. That made the jump to a bigger program pretty much inevitable.
CF Montréal Academy Journey
In 2014, you joined the CF Montréal Academy at U8. Back then, it was called the Montreal Impact Academy, and it offered real structure and pro-level training.
You moved up through the age groups, facing older players and faster games. The academy cared about both individual skill and team shape, which really prepared you for pro life.
In 2023, you played for CF Montréal U23 in Ligue1 Québec, getting into nine matches. That was your first real taste of senior competition, where the pace and physicality made you step up.
CF Montréal U23 Stats
| Season | League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ligue1 Québec | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | Ligue1 Québec | 3 | 1 |
U17 Team Leadership
Your leadership started to show with the Canada U17 team. At the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, you played a central midfield role and helped organize the squad.
You also played in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The pace and technical level there forced you to adapt quickly. Even when you weren’t captain, your communication and positioning made a difference.
Coaches liked how you stayed calm under pressure. You balanced defensive duties and got attacks started—a dual role that lined up with what you did for your club.
International Youth Experience
Jumping to the Canada U20 squad in 2024 was a big step. You played in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying tournament, making six appearances and scoring once.
The level was higher—faster transitions, stronger opponents, more tactical variety. You had to improve your defensive positioning and find space smarter.
Your international record looks solid:
| Team | Year | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada U17 | 2023 | 6 | 1 |
| Canada U20 | 2024 | 6 | 1 |
These experiences gave you a broader sense of the game, from the rhythm in North America to the technical demands of international play.
Professional Career Progression
You see a player who’s climbed the ranks, earning every opportunity with consistent performances. His path shows a clear plan, with competitive minutes at different levels preparing him for bigger stages.
CF Montréal U23 Achievements
You first notice Alessandro Biello making a difference with CF Montréal U23 during the 2023 Ligue1 Québec season. He joined the reserve squad in July and played nine matches, staying calm in central midfield.
His leadership from the U17s carried over, helping the team keep possession and stay organized.
The U23 environment gave him regular minutes against older, tougher players. That was huge for adjusting to the pace and intensity of pro soccer. His ability to read the game and link defense to attack was obvious.
2023 CF Montréal U23 Stats
| Competition | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue1 Québec | 9 | 0 | 2 | 720 |
That stretch with the U23s really bridged the gap between academy soccer and MLS-level play.
First Team Debut
You watched Biello sign his first pro contract with CF Montréal in March 2024—a two-year Homegrown Player deal. Just a few weeks later, he made his MLS debut at Stade Saputo against the Columbus Crew on May 15, 2024.
He came off the bench for his first MLS appearance. It was brief, but it gave him a taste of the league’s speed. The coaches clearly trusted him to handle the jump.
By the start of the 2025 season, CF Montréal sent him on loan to HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League. The idea was to get him regular first-team minutes and keep his development moving.
Canadian Championship Appearances
His professional debut actually came in the Canadian Championship on May 5, 2024, against Forge FC. He entered the match in a knockout setting, which is a real test for a teenager just starting out.
The Canadian Championship gave him minutes against teams from different levels, including CPL sides. These games demand tactical discipline and quick thinking.
For a young midfielder, these appearances built confidence and gave him a taste of tournament play—where every mistake matters. He got to measure himself against pros outside MLS, and that’s no small thing.
Loan to HFX Wanderers FC
Alessandro Biello’s move to Halifax puts him in a new league and system. Watching him in the Canadian Premier League lets you see how he grows with steady competition, all while staying tied to CF Montréal.
Loan Details and Rationale
CF Montréal loaned Biello to HFX Wanderers FC in February 2025 for the rest of the CPL season. The deal runs until December 31, 2025, with no purchase option.
At 19, the Montréal native needed regular minutes. Breaking into a veteran MLS midfield isn’t easy, especially for someone still building up physically and tactically.
The Wanderers get a Canadian U21 player who helps with the league’s domestic requirements. For Biello, it’s a chance to test himself in a league that gives young players real opportunities.
His father, Mauro Biello, is CF Montréal’s sporting director, but this move was about fit and opportunity—not family connections. Playing in Halifax lets him face all kinds of opposition, from possession teams to high-pressing sides.
Performance in the Canadian Premier League
The CPL’s pace and physicality can feel different from MLS. In his first matches, Biello stayed calm on the ball and wasn’t afraid to play forward passes under pressure.
You can see he’s comfortable in tight spaces—something he picked up in CF Montréal’s system.
Here’s a quick look at his early 2025 CPL stats:
| Competition | Matches Played | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Accuracy | Key Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPL | 6 | 5 | 435 | 1 | 2 | 85% | 7 |
His defensive work rate is getting better too. He’s tracking back, intercepting passes, and winning duels more often. His positioning is sharper, and he’s starting to cut off passing lanes before they open up.
Role at HFX Wanderers FC
Biello mainly plays as a central midfielder, switching between a box-to-box role and dropping deeper as a playmaker. You’ll notice his role shifts depending on the opponent and the flow of the match.
Manager Patrice Gheisar usually pairs him with captain Andre Rampersad. That partnership lets Biello push forward, knowing Rampersad can cover defensively.
He links defense to attack with quick, short passes. Off the ball, he supports the press and tries to win it back upfield.
You’ll see him deliver set-piece balls into the box, too.
Taking on all these jobs, Biello keeps adding to his skill set—something you need if you want to move up. His CPL experience could really boost his chances of earning consistent MLS minutes when he goes back to CF Montréal.
Playing Style and Position
Alessandro Simone Biello brings a tactical awareness that lets him handle different midfield roles. You’ll spot him shifting between defensive duties and joining the attack, but he rarely loses his positioning. That makes him valuable in both possession-focused and transitional systems.
Midfield Versatility
Biello lines up mostly as a central midfielder, but he’s played pretty much everywhere in the middle. At CF Montréal, coaches have tried him as a holding midfielder, a wide option, and sometimes even further forward.
With Canada’s U-20s, he looked comfortable sitting deep, breaking up play, and recycling possession. Now at HFX Wanderers, the coaches want to see him push higher and help create chances.
He fits into a 3-4-3, 4-3-3, or 4-2-3-1 without much fuss. He reads the game well enough to tweak his positioning based on the opponent’s press or his team’s tactics.
Strengths and Technical Skills
Biello’s game is all about control and smart decisions. He moves the ball quickly with short, accurate passes and can switch play when he spots space.
He manages tempo, slowing things down or speeding them up as needed. He doesn’t rack up tons of tackles, but he puts himself in good spots to intercept and block passing lanes.
At 1.85 m, he’s got an edge in the air, especially defending set pieces.
| Attribute | Strength Level |
|---|---|
| Passing Accuracy | High |
| Tactical Awareness | High |
| Ball Control | Above Average |
| Defensive Positioning | High |
| Chance Creation | Developing |
Finishing isn’t his strongest suit yet, but his vision helps him spot runs and play passes into dangerous spots.
Comparison with Other Midfielders
If you compare him to other Canadian midfielders, Biello brings Samuel Piette’s defensive discipline and ball recovery. You can trust him to hold shape and shield the back line.
He also flashes some versatility like Mathieu Choinière, who can play out wide or further up. That gives you tactical options if you want to change things up during a match.
He’s not as creative or attack-minded as some veterans yet. Right now, he’s more about linking play than scoring, but with more minutes, especially at HFX Wanderers, that could change.
You get a midfielder who’s reliable and adaptable—a handy combo in different tactical setups.
Notable Matches and Milestones
You can follow Alessandro Biello’s progress through a few big performances that shaped his early career. His first pro minutes, his MLS debut, and his games with Canada’s youth teams all marked important steps.
Debut Against Forge FC
Biello made his professional debut in the Canadian Championship against Forge FC. He was just 17, coming on as a composed defensive midfielder, showing the same poise he had in the CF Montréal academy.
He kept his passing simple and accurate, mostly sticking to short and medium-range balls. His positioning closed down central channels and slowed Forge’s buildup.
Match Snapshot
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Minutes Played | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Canadian Championship | Forge FC | 32 | W 2-0 |
That night, you saw how he handled physical play against older, more experienced pros.
First Regular Season Game
Biello’s MLS regular season debut came later in 2024 against the Columbus Crew. He came on late, tasked with protecting a narrow lead.
He pressed high when needed but stuck to his midfield role. He didn’t get many touches, but he kept the ball and avoided mistakes.
Key Stats from MLS Debut
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Minutes Played | Pass Accuracy | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | MLS | Columbus Crew | 18 | 91% | 2 |
For a teenager straight from the academy, that’s a clean, steady first outing.
International Youth Caps
Biello’s international journey started with Canada’s U17s at the 2023 Concacaf U17 Championship. He also played at the FIFA U17 World Cup that year, starting several matches.
In 2024, he got called up for the Concacaf U20 Championship qualifiers. Playing as a holding midfielder, he helped Canada keep its shape and stay organized.
International Youth Record
| Year | Team | Tournament | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canada U17 | Concacaf U17 Championship, FIFA U17 WC | 8 |
| 2024 | Canada U20 | Concacaf U20 Qualifying | 3 |
These early caps give you a sense of how he adapts to different levels while sticking to his style.
Recognition and Future Prospects
Alessandro Biello’s path from CF Montréal’s academy to the pro ranks shows steady growth and a willingness to take on new challenges. His loan to the Canadian Premier League gives him real minutes, and his technical skills and tactical awareness keep him in the mix for bigger opportunities.
Potential for CF Montréal Return
You’ve seen CF Montréal invest in homegrown talent. Biello signed a Homegrown Player deal in 2024 and stays under contract through 2025, with extra option years. His loan to Halifax Wanderers isn’t permanent, so CF Montréal can bring him back if needed.
The club’s midfield depth shifts every year. If Biello performs well in the CPL, he could come back as a rotation or starting option. He already knows the system, the staff, and other academy grads like Matteo Schiavoni, which helps.
Key factors for a return:
- Performance in CPL matches
- Fitness and durability
- Tactical fit in CF Montréal’s MLS setup
| Season | Club | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | CF Montréal | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Halifax Wanderers (loan) | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Impact on Canadian Soccer
Looking at Canada’s player development system, Biello’s path fits the CPL model—using the league to bridge the gap between youth and MLS. His move to Halifax means he actually gets to start games, which is rare for young midfielders in MLS.
That’s good for the national program, too. Regular minutes at a pro level can prepare him for future Canada U-20 or U-23 call-ups. His time in Montréal’s academy also highlights the value of investing in local players.
By playing with and against Canadian talent, Biello helps raise the competitive standard. As the CPL grows, more players like him can stay home and develop, instead of heading abroad too soon.
Career Outlook Beyond 2025
Biello’s next steps really hinge on how he performs in the 2025 season. If he has a strong year in Halifax, he could earn more MLS minutes, stick around Montréal, or maybe even catch the eye of other CPL clubs.
If he keeps developing, he might find doors opening outside Canada. European lower-division teams like to scout Canadian youth internationals who already have some pro experience.
His age works in his favor, and he can play a few different midfield roles. That background in a structured academy system helps too.
He’ll need to keep improving, stay healthy, and show he can adapt. If he manages all that, who knows—he could stick with MLS, stay in the CPL, or try his luck overseas. At the end of the day, it’ll come down to whether he consistently plays at a high level.
