Álex Grimaldo

Álex Grimaldo is a Spanish left-back whose attacking influence extends well beyond the touchline. He can move into midfield to connect play or advance towards goal, while his left foot makes him a threat from direct free kicks as well as open play.

Born on 20 September 1995, he moved from Valencia’s youth system to Barcelona in 2008. Originally an attacking midfielder, he developed into a left-back at Barcelona and went on to captain their B team. The club agreed his transfer to Benfica in December 2015.

Benfica became the foundation of his senior career. Across seven and a half seasons in Lisbon, he won four Portuguese league titles and made 303 appearances before leaving in 2023.

He joined Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2023 and helped them win the Bundesliga without losing a match in 2023/24, alongside the German Cup. His ten league goals and competition-leading 13 assists underline how much attacking responsibility he carried from left wing-back in that double-winning season.

On 30 June 2026, his transfer from Leverkusen to Atlético Madrid was announced. The move brought him back to Spanish club football after building his senior career in Portugal and Germany.

His senior Spain debut came against Cyprus on 16 November 2023. He was a member of the squad that won EURO 2024 and then of the 2026 World Cup-winning squad, as Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in the final. He had previously won the European Under-19 Championship in 2012.

Under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, Grimaldo pushed high to receive passes from central midfielders and attack scoring positions, then dropped back to cover the flank when possession was lost. His set-piece skill provided another route to goal: he scored twice from direct free kicks against Eintracht Frankfurt in September 2025.

Latest stats & form

Álex Grimaldo currently plays for Atletico Madrid as a left-back. He has represented Spain internationally.

Statistics cover recorded official matches.