PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alejandro Grimaldo García |
| Date of Birth | 20/09/1995 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Valencia, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in / 171 cm |
| Position | Left-Back / Wing-Back / Left Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Atlético Madrid (joining from Bayer Leverkusen) |
| Previous Clubs | Barcelona B, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen |
| International Caps | 14 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
The Frozen Moment
The free-kick hung in the air, bending impossibly around the wall and dipping into the top corner. It was a strike that had become Alejandro Grimaldo’s trademark—six times over the past three seasons, he had done exactly this. Another goal, another assist, another match where the left-back played like a winger.
At 30 years old, Grimaldo is finally returning home. He had left Spain as a teenager, never playing a single top-flight match in his homeland. He had built his career in Portugal and Germany, winning titles, scoring goals, and becoming one of the most feared attacking full-backs in Europe. And now, with a move to Atlético Madrid confirmed for the 2026-27 season, the Valencia-born defender is ready to show La Liga what they missed.
“Atletico is one of the biggest clubs in Spain,” Grimaldo said. “My goal was to return to Spain in this summer transfer window. My agent knew where I wanted to go. My first wish was to go to Atletico, and it’s happened.”
Origins
Alejandro Grimaldo was born in Valencia on September 20, 1995. His football journey began in the youth ranks of Atlético Vallbonense and Valencia CF before he joined the prestigious La Masia academy at Barcelona.
At Barcelona, Grimaldo progressed through the ranks and played for Barcelona B, but a senior debut never materialised. In December 2015, he made the decision that would define his career: he left for Benfica for a fee of €2.1 million.
He was 20 years old. He had never played a first-team match for Barcelona. He was an unknown quantity in a new country. But within months, he was a regular for one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
The European Forge
Grimaldo’s time at Benfica was transformative. Over seven and a half seasons, he made 303 appearances, scored 27 goals, and provided 66 assists. He won four Portuguese league titles, three Supercopas, one Portuguese Cup, and one League Cup.
At Benfica, he developed into a modern full-back—comfortable in possession, dangerous in attack, and capable of delivering devastating set-pieces. His crossing, his free-kicks, and his ability to find space in the final third became his trademarks.
In the summer of 2023, Grimaldo made the move to Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer. It was a decision that would elevate his career to new heights. Under Xabi Alonso, he became a key player in one of the most exciting teams in Europe.
His first season at Leverkusen was historic. He scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists in the Bundesliga, as Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title and completed a domestic double. He was a key part of the team that reached the UEFA Europa League final. In total, he scored 12 goals and provided 17 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
Over three seasons at Leverkusen, Grimaldo scored 30 goals and provided 45 assists in 145 appearances. He was one of the most productive attacking full-backs in Europe.
The Anatomy of His Game
Grimaldo is not a traditional defender. He is an attacking weapon deployed on the field's left flank.
In possession, his numbers speak for themselves. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, he scored 8 goals and provided 8 assists in 29 appearances, with a rating of 7.38. In the Champions League, he added 4 goals and 3 assists in 12 appearances, with a rating of 7.44. His free-kicks are iconic—he has scored six from direct free-kicks over the last three seasons. “In terms of attack, my numbers speak for themselves,” he said.
Out of possession, he is a capable defender, but his primary value is in his attacking contribution. He is not the most physical defender, but his intelligence and positioning compensate. His versatility is a key asset. Atlético Madrid described him as a “versatile left-sided player” who can also play as a wing-back, central midfielder, and even attacking midfielder. He can also play as an emergency left winger. His weakness has been his standing in the Spanish national team. Despite his club form, he has only 14 caps for Spain and has been the backup to Marc Cucurella at the 2026 World Cup.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (Career Overview)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 29 | 8 | 8 | 7.38 |
| 2025/26 | Leverkusen | Champions League | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7.44 |
| 2024/25 | Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 31(1) | 2 | 7 | 7.02 |
| 2024/25 | Leverkusen | Champions League | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7.34 |
| 2023/24 | Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 31(2) | 10 | 13 | 7.58 |
| 2023/24 | Leverkusen | Europa League | 9(3) | 2 | 3 | 7.16 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 145 | 30 | 45 | — |
TABLE B: Performance Metrics (2025/26 Season)
| Metric | Grimaldo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga Apps | 29 | 8 goals, 8 assists |
| Champions League Apps | 12 | 4 goals, 3 assists |
| Pass Completion % | 87.4% | Bundesliga |
| Pass Completion % | 84.1% | Champions League |
| Speed | 32.87 km/h | |
| Distance Covered | 227.7 km | Bundesliga |
TABLE C: The Impact Table (Major Honours)
| Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| UEFA European Championship | 2024 |
| Bundesliga | 2023-24 |
| DFB-Pokal | 2023-24 |
| DFL-Supercup | 2024 |
| 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 |
| UEFA European Under-19 Championship | 2012 |
| Total Major Trophies | 13 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Benfica Move | Signed for €2.1 million |
| 2023 | Leverkusen Move | Signed on free transfer |
| 2023 | Spain Debut | First cap vs Cyprus |
| 2024 | Bundesliga Winner | Key player in Leverkusen’s title |
| 2024 | DFB-Pokal Winner | Domestic double |
| 2024 | European Champion | Part of Spain’s Euro 2024 squad |
| 2026 | Atlético Madrid Move | Signed for €20m |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Represented Spain |
TABLE E: World Cup Record (Tournament-by-Tournament)
| Tournament | Host Nation | Apps | Goals | Assists | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been one of the most productive attacking full-backs in Europe over the past three seasons. He has scored 30 goals and provided 45 assists in 145 appearances for Leverkusen. He has won 13 major trophies across Portugal, Germany, and Spain. He has played in the Champions League and the World Cup. He is a European champion. And he is only just getting started.
The Present Tense
At 30, Alejandro Grimaldo is at the peak of his powers. He has just completed his most productive season at Leverkusen, with 8 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga and 4 goals and 3 assists in the Champions League. He has secured a move to Atlético Madrid, one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
The 2026 World Cup has been a mixed experience for Grimaldo. He is part of Spain’s squad, but he has not played a single minute, with Marc Cucurella starting every match at left-back. However, he has spoken about his willingness to play as an emergency left winger if needed.
His move to Atlético Madrid was confirmed during the tournament. Atlético will pay around €20 million for his services, and he has signed a contract until 2030. Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes paid tribute to Grimaldo: “He was undoubtedly a key part of our shared success. His style of play was a defining feature of our Werkself, and his free kicks were iconic.”
Grimaldo has fulfilled a long-held ambition. “I believe Atletico Madrid is one of Spain’s big clubs. I am at the peak of my career, joining a Champions League team that competes for every trophy,” he said.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Grimaldo is known for his professionalism and dedication. He is a quiet, focused player who lets his feet do the talking.
His journey from Barcelona B to European champion has been remarkable. He left Spain as a teenager and spent a decade building his career abroad. He never complained. He never gave up. He simply worked hard and improved. His connection to Spain is strong. Despite spending most of his career overseas, he has always represented his country with pride. He was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2024. He is a player who has earned everything he has achieved. The late-blooming magician is finally coming home.
The Verdict from the Camp
Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach:
De la Fuente has included Grimaldo in his World Cup squad, a testament to his quality.
Alejandro Grimaldo, on his Atlético move:
“I’ve said for a long time, my goal was to return to Spain. From the start of this summer transfer window my agent knew where I wanted to go, my first choice was Atletico. I believe Atletico Madrid is one of Spain’s big clubs. I am at the peak of my career, joining a Champions League team that competes for every trophy.”
Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen sporting director:
“He was undoubtedly a key part of our shared success. His style of play was a defining feature of our Werkself, and his free kicks were iconic. For that, we owe him our thanks.”
Where Next?
Alejandro Grimaldo is 30 years old and joining Atlético Madrid. He has won the European Championship, the Bundesliga, and four Portuguese league titles. He has scored 30 goals and provided 45 assists in 145 appearances for Leverkusen.
His legacy is already secure. He is the player who left Barcelona B and became a European champion. He is the full-back who scored 10 goals in a Bundesliga season. He is the free-kick specialist who delivered when it mattered most. His future is at Atlético Madrid, where he has signed a contract until 2030. He is joining a team that competes for every trophy, and he is determined to make his mark in La Liga. The journey from Valencia, to the World Cup has been remarkable. The boy who never played a top-flight match in Spain is finally coming home.
