Álex Grimaldo Explained

Álex Grimaldo
Full Name:Alejandro Grimaldo García
Birth Date:20 September 1995
Birth Place:Valencia, Spain
Height:1.71 m[1]
Position:Left wing-back, left-back
Currentclub:Bayer Leverkusen
Clubnumber:20
Youthclubs1:Atlético Valbonense
Youthyears2:2006–2008
Youthclubs2:Valencia
Youthyears3:2008–2012
Youthclubs3:Barcelona
Years1:2011–2015
Clubs1:Barcelona B
Caps1:92
Goals1:6
Years2:2016–2023
Clubs2:Benfica
Caps2:197
Goals2:19
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:Bayer Leverkusen
Caps3:51
Goals3:12
Nationalyears1:2011
Nationalteam1:Spain U16
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2011–2012
Nationalteam2:Spain U17
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2012–2014
Nationalteam3:Spain U19
Nationalcaps3:9
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2013–2016
Nationalteam4:Spain U21
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2023–
Nationalteam5:Spain
Nationalcaps5:10
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:23:43, 18 January 2025 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:56, 12 October 2024 (UTC)

Alejandro "Álex" Grimaldo García (born 20 September 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Spain national team. He is known for his crossing, shooting, set-pieces and chance creation.

Club career

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.[2] [3]

On 23 February 2013, Grimaldo suffered a serious knee injury, being ruled out for the remainder of the season.[4] He returned to action in January of the following year,[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

Benfica

On 29 December 2015, as his contract was about to expire,[8] Grimaldo signed with Portuguese champions Benfica until 2021, for €1.5 million. Barcelona has the right to a percentage of a future sale.[9]

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.[10] He debuted in the Primeira Liga on 29 February, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home win against União da Madeira;[11] he only appeared once more in the latter competition until the end of the season, filling in for suspended Eliseu[12] in a 4–1 victory over Nacional also at the Estádio da Luz that sealed the club's third consecutive national championship.[13] He remained in the team for the league cup final on 20 May, the 6–2 defeat of Marítimo at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.[14]

Grimaldo's first full season began on 7 August 2016, as he started in a 3–0 win against Braga for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in Aveiro, assisting Franco Cervi for the opening goal.[15] On 2 October he scored his first goal for the club, a free kick to conclude a 4–0 home triumph over Feirense;[16] on 28 May 2017, he played the full 90 minutes in the final of the Taça de Portugal, won after defeating Vitória de Guimarães 2–1.[17]

Grimaldo's maiden appearance in the UEFA Champions League took place on 13 September 2016, when he played the entire 1–1 group stage home draw to Beşiktaş.[18] His first goal in the competition came during the same stage but on 2 October 2018, in a 3–2 away win over AEK Athens;[19] he repeated the feat against the latter opponent on 12 December in the return fixture, his 30-meter free kick in the 88th minute helping to a 1–0 victory.[20]

Bayer Leverkusen

On 21 May 2023, Grimaldo signed a four-year contract with German club Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.[21] On 12 August, he debuted in a DFB-Pokal match against FC Teutonia Ottensen.[22] On 15 September, he scored his first goal for the club, a direct free kick from the edge of the box away at Bayern Munich in a 2–2 draw.[23] He finished his first season at Leverkusen in 2023–24 as top assist provider in Bundesliga with 13 assists.[24]

International career

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.[25]

On 10 November 2023, Grimaldo received his first call-up to the Spain senior national team, for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia.[26] 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.[27]

In May 2024, he was named in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[28]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barcelona B2011–12Segunda División10————10
2012–13240————240
2013–14140————140
2014–15364————364
2015–16Segunda División B172————172
Total 926————926
Benfica2015–16Primeira Liga200030000050
2016–1714220004010212
2017–1828130104010371
2018–193444010153—547
2019–2026060008011411
2020–2131240007010432
2021–222952130140—486
2022–233354130142—548
Total 197192521106654130327
Bayer Leverkusen2023–24Bundesliga331060—122—5112
2024–2518230—8210304
Total 511290—204108116
Career total339363421108695147548

International

[29]

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Spain202310
202490
Total100

Honours

Benfica

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Spain U19

Spain

Individual

2023–24[47]

2023–24[49]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grimaldo . S.L. Benfica . 12 August 2022 . 7 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307085756/https://www.slbenfica.pt/en-us/futebol/plantel-principal/Grimaldo . live .
  2. News: Vuelve el mejor Barça B con un festival goleador en Cartagonova. The best Barça B return with a scoring festival in Cartagonova. Marca. García. Gregorio. Spanish. 4 September 2011. 6 September 2011. 24 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150724163700/http://www.marca.com/2011/09/04/futbol/2adivision/1315159792.html. live.
  3. News: Alejandro Grimaldo, la seducción de un lateral de 15 años. Alejandro Grimaldo, the allure of a 15-year-old fullback. Mundo Deportivo. Gascón. Javier. Spanish. 5 September 2011. 12 December 2018. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407081939/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110905/fc-barcelona/grimaldo-la-seduccion-de-un-lateral-de-15-anos_54212116164.html. live.
  4. Web site: Alejandro Grimaldo sufre una rotura del ligamento cruzado anterior y del ligamento lateral externo de la rodilla. Alejandro Grimaldo suffers an anterior cruciate ligament and a lateral collateral injury. FC Barcelona. Spanish. 24 February 2013. 22 September 2014. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030359/http://www.fcbarcelona.es/futbol/barca-b/detalle/noticia/alejandro-grimaldo-sufre-una-rotura-del-ligamento-cruzado-anterior-y-del-ligamento-lateral-externo-de-la-rodilla. live.
  5. News: Grimaldo vuelve ante el Mirandés... y Masip se queda fuera. Grimaldo returns against Mirandés... and Masip stays out. Sport. es. 18 January 2014. 22 September 2014. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134828/http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/liga-adelante/grimaldo-vuelve-ante-mirandes-masip-queda-fuera-3022290. live.
  6. News: El Barça B se lleva los tres puntos con susto final. Barça B take the three points with a final scare. Marca. es. 13 September 2014. 22 September 2014. 16 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150616092705/http://www.marca.com/2014/09/13/futbol/2adivision/1410636355.html. live.
  7. News: Una genialidad de Munir da aire a un filial que acabó con nueve. Genius from Munir gives air to a reserve team which finished with nine. Marca. es. 25 April 2015. 20 October 2015. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407081951/https://www.marca.com/2015/04/25/futbol/2adivision/1429992631.html. live.
  8. News: Carlos. Nogueira. Grimaldo ruma à Luz por um milhão de euros. Grimaldo heads to Luz for one million euros. Diário de Notícias. 18 December 2015. 27 December 2015. pt. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402155313/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/benfica/interior/grimaldo-ruma-a-luz-por-um-milhao-de-euros-4944617.html. live.
  9. Web site: "Tenho muita ambição em crescer neste clube". I have a lot of ambition of growing in this club. S.L. Benfica. pt. 29 December 2015. 29 December 2015. 1 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160101121420/http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/44196/language/pt-PT/.aspx. live.
  10. Web site: Classe e magia no check-in para as "meias". Class and magic in "semis" check-in. Benfica. 26 January 2016. 27 January 2016. pt. 14 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160414214846/http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/44510/language/pt-PT/Classe-e-magia-no-check-in-para-as-meias.aspx. live.
  11. Web site: Quem tem um Jonas, tem tudo. He who has a Jonas, has everything. Rádio Renascença. 29 February 2016. 1 March 2016. pt. 5 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405195747/https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/48101/quem_tem_um_jonas_tem_tudo. live.
  12. News: Gaitán volta com Talisca e Grimaldo no onze. Gaitán returns with Talisca and Grimaldo in XI. Jornal de Notícias. 14 May 2016. 16 May 2016. pt. 20 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072728/http://comunidade.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=5175319. dead.
  13. Web site: Génio de Gaitán dá o 'tri' ao Benfica. Gaitán genius gives "tri" to Benfica. SAPO. 15 May 2016. 16 May 2016. pt. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074418/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2016/05/15/benfica-tricampeao-nacional-de-futebol. 2016-12-20 . live.
  14. Web site: Benfica continua a ser o rei da Taça da Liga. Benfica are still League Cup kings. SAPO. 20 May 2016. 24 March 2017. pt. 23 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160523104551/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/taca_da_liga/artigo/2016/05/20/cronica-final-final-taca-da-liga-2016. live.
  15. News: El Benfica campeón de la Supercopa gracias a Cervi y Pizzi. Benfica are Supercup champions thanks to Cervi and Pizzi. Diario AS. 8 August 2016. es. 24 March 2017. 17 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517002608/http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/08/08/internacional/1470607422_553441.html. live.
  16. News: Benfica goleia o Feirense. Benfica thrash Feirense. Correio da Manhã. pt. 2 October 2016. 24 March 2017. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407081951/https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/futebol/detalhe/benfica-0-0-feirense-siga-em-direto. live.
  17. News: Oito minutos à Benfica garantiram a 11.ª dobradinha. Eight Benfica-like minutes confirmed 11th double. Diário de Notícias. 28 May 2017. 13 May 2018. pt. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184600/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/benfica/interior/entre-a-11a-dobradinha-do-benfica-e-a-segunda-taca-do-vitoria-8513638.html. live.
  18. News: Talisca, o dispensado, roubou uma vitória que parecia certa. Talisca, the surplus, robbed almost certain win. Diário de Notícias. 13 September 2016. 12 December 2018. pt. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402155043/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/benfica/interior/ederson-na-baliza-cervi-e-goncalo-guedes-no-ataque-ao-besiktas-5387639.html. live.
  19. News: Mariana. Béu. Benfica com triunfo sofrido sobre o AEK (3–2). Seferovic e Grimaldo marcaram, gregos empataram e Alfa Semedo resolveu – como aconteceu. Benfica with hard-fought win over AEK (3–2). Seferovic and Grimaldo scored, Greek drew and Alfa Semedo decided it – how it happened. Observador. 2 October 2018. 13 December 2018. pt.
  20. Web site: Marcos. Celso. Benfica vence AEK de Atenas com grande golo de Grimaldo. Benfica beat AEK Athens with great Grimaldo goal. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 12 December 2018. 12 December 2018. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011030/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-internacional/benfica-vence-aek-de-atenas-com-grande-golo-de-grimaldo_d1116971. live.
  21. Web site: 2023-05-21 . Bayer 04 sign Grimaldo from Benfica . 2023-07-03 . BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN . 2023-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724110955/https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/%7B%7B%20vm.common.getSiteCanonicalTag%28%29%20%7C%20trustUrl%20%7D%7D . live .
  22. Web site: Leverkusen bezwingt Ottensen klar und deutlich . sportschau.de . de . 12 August 2023 . 15 September 2023 . 8 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908175229/https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/dfbpokal/spielbericht-teutonia-bayer-leverkusen-dfb-pokal-100.html . live .
  23. Web site: FC Bayern München 2–2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen . Bundesliga . 15 September 2023 . 4 November 2023 . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104173556/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/xabi-alonso-s-bayer-leverkusen-grateful-for-alex-grimaldo-s-on-field-mastery-24996 . live .
  24. Web site: Bundesliga Stats 2023-2024 . Bundesliga . 23 May 2024 .
  25. News: Fran. Villalobos. España invierte en su futuro. Spain invest in their future. Marca. 5 February 2013. 27 December 2015. es. 5 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160105103950/http://www.marca.com/2013/02/05/futbol/cantera/1360098317.html. live.
  26. Web site: 10 November 2023 . Grimaldo convocado pela primeira vez para a seleção espanhola . Grimaldo called-up for the first time for the Spanish national team . 10 November 2023 . A Bola . pt. 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110131418/https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/grimaldo-convocado-pela-primeira-vez-para-a-selecao-espanhola-2023111010370900231 . live .
  27. Web site: 16 November 2023 . Euro-2024 Espanha derrota Chipre com boa estreia de Grimaldo . Euro 2024 Spain beats Cyprus with good debut by Grimaldo . 16 November 2023 . A Bola . pt. 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116220724/https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/espanha-derrota-chipre-com-boa-estreia-de-grimaldo-2023111619171654532 . live .
  28. Web site: UEFA.com . Spain Squad UEFA EURO 2024 . 2024-07-15 . UEFA.com . en.
  29. Web site: Álex Grimaldo. EU-Football.info. 16 November 2023. 11 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231211052617/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=32536. live.
  30. Web site: Tom. Kundert. Benfica crowned champions of Portugal. PortuGOAL. 27 May 2023. 27 May 2023. 28 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528132616/https://portugoal.net/club-news/3242-benfica-crowned-champions-of-portugal. live.
  31. Web site: Depois do "tri", o "hepta". Benfica goleia e vence Taça da Liga. After "tri", "hepta". Benfica rout and win League Cup. Rádio Renascença. Portuguese. 20 May 2016. 21 May 2016. 23 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160523124338/http://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/54702/em_directo_final_da_taca_da_liga. live.
  32. News: Benfica vence V. Guimarães (3–1) e faz a festa em Aveiro. Benfica defeat V. Guimarães (3–1) and get the party started in Aveiro. A Bola. Portuguese. 5 August 2017. 6 August 2017. 6 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806172906/http://abola.pt/Nnh/Noticias/Ver/686002. live.
  33. Web site: Benfica 5-0 Sporting CP. Soccerway. 4 August 2019.
  34. News: 15 April 2024 . Bayer Leverkusen are 2023/24 Bundesliga champions! . 15 April 2024 . Bundesliga.
  35. News: 17 August 2024 . Bayer Leverkusen battle back to beat VfB Stuttgart on penalties in Supercup . 17 August 2024 . Bundesliga.
  36. News: La sub´19, campeona de Europa. The under-19s, European champions. La Nueva España. es. 15 July 2012. 30 December 2015. 22 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922140150/https://www.lne.es/deportes/2012/07/15/sub19-campeona-europa/1271022.html. dead.
  37. Web site: Spain 2-1 England UEFA EURO 2024 Final . 14 July 2024 . 14 July 2024 . UEFA.com.
  38. Web site: Technical report. UEFA. 13. 3 April 2018. 16 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816003007/http://www.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/TechnicalReport/competitions/Under19/01/87/93/98/1879398_DOWNLOAD.pdf. live.
  39. Web site: UEFA Europa League Squad of the 2018/19 Season. UEFA. 30 May 2019. 30 May 2019. 23 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190623141612/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2606568.html. live.
  40. Web site: Vencedores dos Prémios Oficiais da Liga Portugal 2018-2019 . 2022-12-27 . Liga Portugal . 2019-07-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190713204212/https://www.ligaportugal.pt/pt/epocas/20192020/noticias/geral/kick-off-2019-20/vencedores-dos-premios-oficiais-da-liga-portugal-2018-2019/ . live .
  41. Web site: 25 June 2023 . 11 do Ano fechado com avançado do SC Braga (fotogaleria) (Liga) . 2 August 2023 . A Bola . pt . 2023-08-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230802104007/https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2023-06-25/liga-11-do-ano-fechado-com-avancado-do-sc-braga-fotogaleria/https:%2F%2Fwww.abola.pt%2Fnnh%2F2023-06-25%2Fliga-11-do-ano-fechado-com-avancado-do-sc-braga-fotogaleria%2F992657 . live .
  42. Web site: Melhores de fevereiro: Bruno Fernandes e Adriano Castanheira em destaque. Liga Portugal. 2 April 2019. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402180741/http://ligaportugal.pt/pt/epocas/20182019/noticias/geral/premios/melhores-de-fevereiro-bruno-fernandes-e-adriano-castanheira-em-destaque/. live.
  43. Web site: Grimaldo distinguido com o Prémio de Defesa do Mês da Liga Portugal bwin . Grimaldo distinguished with Liga Portugal bwin' Defender of the Month Award . 13 February 2023. 15 October 2023 . Liga Portugal. pt. 2 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231202193759/https://www.ligaportugal.pt/pt/epocas/20222023/noticias/geral/premios-mensais/dezembrojaneiro/grimaldo-distinguido-com-o-premio-de-defesa-do-mes-da-liga-portugal-bwin/ . live .
  44. Web site: Grimaldo wins February Defender of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin . 14 March 2023. 15 October 2023 . Liga Portugal . 3 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203025102/https://www.ligaportugal.pt/en/epocas/20222023/noticias/geral/premios-mensais/fevereiro/grimaldo-eleito-defesa-do-mes-da-liga-portugal-bwin-em-fevereiro/ . live .
  45. Web site: Melhores de janeiro: João Félix e Pedro Henrique em destaque. Liga Portugal. pt. 19 February 2019. 14 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214134221/http://www.ligaportugal.pt/pt/epocas/20182019/noticias/geral/premios/melhores-de-janeiro-joao-felix-e-pedro-henrique-em-destaque/. live.
  46. News: Bundesliga Team of the Season 2023/24 by EA FC 24!. 3 May 2024. 3 May 2024. Bundesliga.
  47. News: Florian Wirtz ist VDV-Spieler der Saison. VDV. de. 27 May 2024. 27 May 2024.
  48. News: Bundesliga Player of the Month. 17 May 2024. Bundesliga.
  49. Web site: Evans . Jamie . ESM Team of the Season: 2023-24 . World Soccer . 10 June 2024 . 10 June 2024 .

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