CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Athletic Club |
| League | La Liga |
| Manager | Edin Terzić |
| Stadium | San Mamés |
| Nickname | Los Leones |
| Founded | 1898 |
| First-Choice Goalkeeper | Unai Simón |
| Backup Goalkeeper | Álex Padilla |
| Academy Prospect | Mikel Santos |
| Notable Departure | Julen Agirrezabala (to Valencia) |
The Defining Moment
Athletic Club’s 2026/27 season has been defined by the quiet certainty of a position that requires no debate. While Edin Terzić has revolutionised the outfield structure, introducing a fluid 3-4-3 in possession and demanding a higher pressing line, the goalkeeping department has remained untouched by the turbulence of transition. Unai Simón, a European champion and World Cup winner, is the undisputed first choice, and no one at San Mamés questions it.
The defining moment of Athletic’s goalkeeping season came not in a save or a clean sheet but in the club’s decision to allow Julen Agirrezabala, the hero of the 2024 Copa del Rey triumph, to depart for Valencia. Agirrezabala had been the understudy who stepped into the spotlight when it mattered most, saving penalties in the shootout that ended Athletic’s forty-year wait for a major trophy. His departure left a void, but it also clarified the hierarchy. Álex Padilla, the Mexican international who had impressed during his loan at Racing Santander, was promoted to the first-team squad and handed the number 13 shirt.
Padilla’s elevation was a statement of continuity. Athletic’s goalkeeping department is not merely about the present; it is about the pipeline. Mikel Santos, the young Basque goalkeeper, waits patiently behind Simón and Padilla, a reminder that Lezama continues to produce talent in every position. The club that once developed Kepa Arrizabalaga and Unai Simón has no intention of stopping.
This is the story of Athletic’s 2026/27 goalkeepers: a World Cup winner at the peak of his powers, a Mexican international seizing his opportunity, and a youth pipeline that ensures the position remains a source of strength for years to come.
Tactical Context
Terzić’s arrival has not altered the fundamental demands placed on Athletic’s goalkeeper, but it has subtly shifted the context in which they operate. The German’s preference for a high defensive line and aggressive pressing means Simón is asked to act as a sweeper-keeper more frequently than under Ernesto Valverde. The 190cm goalkeeper’s distribution, both short and long, has become an integral part of Athletic’s build-up play, particularly when the team faces opponents who press aggressively.
The statistics from the early part of the season reflect Simón’s importance. In eleven La Liga appearances, he has made 30 catches, 14 blocks, and faced 925 minutes of football. His save percentage and command of the penalty area have been reliable, even as Athletic’s defensive structure has fluctuated during Terzić’s adaptation period. The club’s record of nine goals conceded in nine league matches is respectable, if not exceptional, and Simón’s individual performances have drawn praise for their consistency.
Padilla’s role is more circumscribed. The Mexican, who joined Athletic’s academy from Guadalajara, is expected to feature in the Copa del Rey, mirroring the path Agirrezabala took to prominence. His performances for Racing Santander, where he kept seventeen clean sheets and won the Segunda División’s golden glove, demonstrated his readiness for senior football. The challenge for Padilla is patience: at 23, he is at an age where regular football is essential for development, but Simón’s presence limits his opportunities.
The structural question is not whether Athletic have a capable first choice. They do. The question is whether Padilla can accept a supporting role for another season, and whether Mikel Santos’ development will be accelerated by the club’s long-term planning. The goalkeeping department is stable, but stability can breed restlessness in those who wait.
The Goalkeepers
Unai Simón
Simón is Athletic’s first-choice goalkeeper, a World Cup winner with Spain, and the undisputed occupant of the position he has made his own since breaking into the first team in 2018. The 29-year-old has started every La Liga match this season, accumulating 925 minutes across eleven appearances, and his consistency has been a rare constant in a campaign of tactical transition.
His profile is that of the complete modern goalkeeper. At 190cm, Simón possesses the physical frame to dominate his penalty area, and his shot-stopping is among the best in La Liga. His distribution has improved markedly under Terzić’s demands, with his long passes and composure under pressure allowing Athletic to build from the back even against the most aggressive pressing sides. His performance against PSG in the Champions League last season, where he produced a string of saves that kept Athletic in the tie, remains the defining night of his recent career.
The contract situation is settled. Simón signed a long-term extension in 2024, committing his future to the club until 2029, and there is no suggestion of a departure. At 29, he is entering the prime years for a goalkeeper, and his importance to Athletic extends beyond his individual quality. He is a leader in the dressing room, a Basque international who embodies the club’s identity, and a model of consistency in a position where consistency is often taken for granted.
Álex Padilla
Padilla is Athletic’s second-choice goalkeeper, the Mexican international who has been promoted to the first-team squad following Agirrezabala’s departure. The 23-year-old has been assigned the number 13 shirt, a symbolic passing of the torch from the man who wore it before him.
His profile is that of the modern, athletic goalkeeper. Padilla’s time at Racing Santander, where he kept seventeen clean sheets and won the Segunda División’s golden glove, demonstrated his shot-stopping and command of his area. His distribution is reliable, if not as refined as Simón’s, and his physical presence at 190cm allows him to dominate crosses and set-pieces.
The challenge for Padilla is opportunity. Simón’s durability has limited the backup goalkeeper’s chances in recent seasons, and the Copa del Rey is likely to be his primary avenue for playing time. At 23, he is at a stage of his career where regular football is essential, and the question of whether he will eventually seek a starting role elsewhere remains unresolved. For now, he is a reliable deputy, a luxury that Athletic can afford thanks to the depth of their goalkeeping pipeline.
Mikel Santos
Santos is the academy prospect waiting patiently for his opportunity. The young goalkeeper has been included in Athletic’s first-team squad and represents the next generation of Lezama talent. At 22, he is not yet ready to challenge for a starting role, but his development will be closely monitored as the club plans for the future.
His presence in the squad is a reminder that Athletic’s goalkeeping department is not merely about the present. The club has a tradition of producing international-class goalkeepers, and Santos is the latest in a long line of prospects hoping to follow in the footsteps of Simón and Kepa.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Athletic Club Goalkeeper La Liga Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Catches | Blocks | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unai Simón | 11 (11) | 925 | 30 | 14 | 3 |
| Álex Padilla | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mikel Santos | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Athletic Club Defence – Key Metrics (La Liga 2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded (League) | 9 | In 9 matches; 1.00 per game |
| Clean Sheets (League) | 3 | vs Celta, Atlético, Alavés |
| League Position | 8th | 12 points from 9 matches |
| Record | 3-3-3 | Balanced start under Terzić |
TABLE C: Goalkeeper Distribution & Availability Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Simón | Padilla | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passes Attempted | 401 | — | Short and long distribution combined |
| Passes Completed | 285 | — | Build-up involvement |
| Pass Accuracy | 71% | — | Under pressure from pressing sides |
| Contract Status | 2029 | Long-term | Stability of core |
| International Status | Spain (World Cup winner) | Mexico | Pedigree comparison |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Athletic’s goalkeeping department is a study in continuity. The club has a World Cup winner in his prime, a Mexican international with proven pedigree as his deputy, and a pipeline of young talent waiting for their opportunity. The balance is not between present and future—it is between the certainty of Simón and the patience required of those behind him.
The structural question is not whether Athletic have a capable goalkeeper. They do. The question is whether Padilla can accept another season of limited opportunities before deciding whether his future lies elsewhere. At 23, he is at an age where regular football is essential, and the Copa del Rey may not be enough to satisfy his ambitions. The club’s ability to manage his expectations will determine whether he remains a reliable deputy or seeks a starting role at another club.
The deeper pipeline is a testament to Lezama’s enduring quality. Santos’ presence in the first-team squad, alongside the club’s recent contract extensions for young talents like Christian Imga and Manex Lozano, demonstrates that Athletic’s commitment to internal development extends to every position. The goalkeeping department is not merely stable; it is sustainable.
The Verdict from the Camp
Diario AS, on the goalkeeping hierarchy:
“The goal has a clear owner, Unai Simón, with Padilla as a bodyguard and the young Mikel Santos patiently waiting his turn.”
On Simón’s status:
“Who can dispute the position of a European and world champion? Simón is a fixture for De la Fuente in La Roja and let alone at his club, Athletic. Padilla has been left with the only hope of playing in the Cup, as happened with Agirrezabala in the title won in 2024.”
On Padilla’s promotion:
“Álex Padilla, Alejandro Rego, Hugo Rincón and Beñat Gerenabarrena have been assigned as Athletic Club first-team players for the 2026/27 campaign. Padilla and Rego were already part of the senior-team dynamic last season and have now been assigned first-team shirt numbers.”
Where Next?
Athletic’s goalkeeping priority is continuity. Simón will remain the first choice for as long as his form and fitness allow, and the club will use the Copa del Rey to keep Padilla engaged and sharp. The Mexican’s long-term future depends on his patience and his ambition. If he accepts a supporting role, Athletic have one of the strongest goalkeeping departments in La Liga. If he seeks regular football elsewhere, the club will need to ensure Santos is ready to step up.
The succession plan is already in motion. Simón’s contract runs until 2029, but at 29, he is entering the phase of his career where the club must begin planning for the future. Santos’ development, and the potential emergence of other Lezama goalkeepers, will determine whether Athletic need to look outside the club when Simón’s time eventually comes.
For now, the Leones have a goalkeeper they trust, a deputy they believe in, and a pipeline that continues to produce. In a season of tactical transition under Terzić, the foundation between the posts remains secure. The question is not whether Athletic’s goalkeeping is good enough—Simón’s pedigree and Padilla’s potential suggest it is. The question is how long the club can keep both of them satisfied, and whether the next generation is ready when the time comes.
