Grimaldo represented Spain at various youth levels, including the under-19 team, where he won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2012.
He was named in Spain's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his importance to the national team.
Álex Grimaldo is a Spanish professional footballer born in 1995, known for his role as a left wing-back.
Biography
Early Life
Álex Grimaldo, born Alejandro Grimaldo García in 1995 in Valencia, Spain, began his football journey at a young age. He joined the youth system of Valencia CF Mestalla in 2006, where he honed his skills for two years before making a significant move to FC Barcelona's youth academy in 2008. Grimaldo's talent quickly became evident, and he made his official debut for Barcelona B at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player to appear in a Segunda División game at that time.
Career
Grimaldo's professional career took off with FC Barcelona, where he played for the B-team from 2011 to 2015. Despite facing challenges, including a serious knee injury in 2013, he showcased his resilience and talent, scoring his first professional goal in 2014. In 2016, he signed with S.L. Benfica, where he enjoyed considerable success, winning multiple league titles and domestic cups. After seven fruitful years in Portugal, Grimaldo joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2023, continuing to make his mark in European football.
On the international stage, Grimaldo represented Spain at various youth levels, culminating in his debut for the senior national team in November 2023. He was part of Spain's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further establishing himself as a key player for his country.
Legacy
Grimaldo's career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple Primeira Liga titles and individual honors such as being named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season. His contributions to both club and country have solidified his reputation as a talented full-back, and he continues to be a prominent figure in football today.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Barcelona
Born in Valencia, Valencian Community, Grimaldo joined Barcelona's youth system in 2008. He made his official debut for the B-team on 4 September 2011, starting in a 4–0 away win against Cartagena at the age of 15 years and 349 days and becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a Segunda División game, before he was surpassed by Lamine Yamal in 2023. On 23 February 2013, Grimaldo suffered a serious knee injury, being ruled out for the remainder of the season. He returned to action in January of the following year, appearing in 14 matches to help his team finish in third position. On 13 September 2014, Grimaldo scored his first professional goal, netting his side's last in a 3–2 success at Alavés. In a campaign which saw the team relegated, he netted four times in 36 matches; he and Sergi Palencia were sent off on 25 April 2015, in a 2–1 win over Ponferradina at the Mini Estadi.
Benfica
On 29 December 2015, as his contract was about to expire, Grimaldo signed with Primeira Liga champions Benfica until 2021, for €1.5 million. Barcelona has the right to a percentage of a future sale. Grimaldo played his first game with his new team on 26 January 2016, coming in as a 62nd-minute substitute for Sílvio in a 6–1 away routing of Moreirense for the Taça da Liga. He debuted in the Primeira Liga on 29 February, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home win against União da Madeira; he only appeared once more in the latter competition until the end…
Grimaldo won his first call-up for the Spain under-21 team on 5 February 2013 before he had turned 18, playing the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw in Belgium. On 10 November 2023, Grimaldo received his first call-up to the Spain senior national team, for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia. Six days later, he made his debut as a starter against Cyprus, assisting Mikel Oyarzabal for Spain's second goal in a 3–1 away victory. In May 2024, he was named in Spain's 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. Grimaldo was widely expected to be a starter, but Marc Cucurella was ultimately preferred, though Grimaldo did play in the 1-0 win over Albania and the 4-1 win over Georgia. On 25 May 2026, Grimaldo was named in Spain's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club
As of match played 5 September 2026
International
As of match played 8 June 2026
- Club
- Valencia CF Mestalla (2006–2008)
- Club
- FC Barcelona Juvenil A (2008–2012)
- Club
- FC Barcelona Atlètic (2011–2015)
- Club
- S.L. Benfica (2016–2023)
- Club
- Spain national under-16 association football team (2011–2011)
- Club
- Spain national under-17 association football team (2011–2012)
- Club
- Spain national under-19 football team (2012–2014)
- Club
- Spain national under-21 association football team (2013–2016)
- Club
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2023–2026)
- Club
- Spain men's national football team (2023–)
- Club
- Atlético Madrid (2026–)
- National team
- Spain
Legacy
Benfica
Primeira Liga: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2022–23 Taça de Portugal: 2016–17 Taça da Liga: 2015–16 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2016, 2017, 2019 Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga: 2023–24 DFB-Pokal: 2023–24 DFL-Supercup: 2024 Spain
FIFA World Cup: 2026 UEFA European Championship: 2024 UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2024–25 Spain U19
UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2012 Individual
UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012 UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19 Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2018–19, 2022–23 Primeira Liga Defender of the Month: February 2019, December/January 2023, February 2023 Primeira Liga Goal of the Month: January 2019, August 2021 Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2023–24 VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2023–24, 2025–26 Bundesliga Player of the Month: April 2024 ESM Team of the Year: 2023–24
Clubs
- Spain men's national football team2023current
- Atlético Madrid2026current
- Valencia CF Mestalla2006–2008
- FC Barcelona Juvenil A2008–2012
- FC Barcelona Atlètic2011–2015
- Spain national under-16 association football team2011–2011
- Spain national under-17 association football team2011–2012
- Spain national under-19 football team2012–2014
- Spain national under-21 association football team2013–2016
- S.L. Benfica2016–2023
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen2023–2026
Played together with
Aaron MokoenaBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–1999
Aarón MartínSpain national under-21 association football team
Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-16 association football team · 2004–2005- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-17 association football team · 2005–2006
- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-19 football team · 2006–2008
- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-21 association football team · 2008–2009
- Aarón ÑíguezValencia CF Mestalla · 2006–2007
Abde EzzalzouliFC Barcelona Atlètic · 2021–2022- Abdelkrim El HadriouiS.L. Benfica · 1997–1998
Abel ResinoAtlético Madrid · 1986–1995- Abel ResinoSpain men's national football team · 1991–1991
- Abel XavierS.L. Benfica · 1993–1995
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Alejandro "Álex" Grimaldo García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Spain national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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