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Article Summary
Álex Baena is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Spain national team. Born Alejandro Baena Rodríguez in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, on 20 July 2001, he emerged from Villarreal‘s youth academy, making 108 La Liga appearances before a loan to Girona in 2021-22. In July 2025, he signed for Atlético Madrid for a fee of approximately €45 million. Baena has achieved a feat no player has ever matched: winning the UEFA European Championship in 2024, an Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in consecutive years. He started seven of Spain’s eight World Cup matches and scored the winning goal against Uruguay. He is currently in a relationship with journalist and influencer Alexandra Jiménez. His net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Alejandro Baena Rodríguez was born on 20 July 2001 in Roquetas de Mar, a municipality in the province of Almería, Andalusia, Spain. He grew up in a humble family; his mother, Sara Rodríguez, sold clothes and accessories at a mobile clothing stall, while his father worked as a security guard at a casino.
Baena’s passion for football emerged early. He began his youth career with local club CD Roquetas in 2007 at the age of six, spending four years there before joining Villarreal CF‘s youth academy in 2011 at the age of ten.
Club Career
Villarreal (2019-2025)
Baena progressed through Villarreal’s youth ranks. He made his senior debut for Villarreal C in the 2018-19 season, making one appearance. He then played for Villarreal B in the 2019-20 season, making 23 appearances.
Baena made his first-team debut for Villarreal in 2020. Over five seasons, he made 108 La Liga appearances, scoring 15 goals. In the 2023-24 season, he recorded 14 assists, the most of any player in La Liga. He helped Villarreal finish fifth in La Liga in 2024-25, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Girona (Loan, 2021-2022)
In the 2021-22 season, Baena was loaned to Girona FC in the Spanish second division. He made 38 appearances, scoring 5 goals, and played a key role in helping Girona earn promotion to La Liga.
Atlético Madrid (2025-Present)
In July 2025, Baena signed for Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of €45 million plus €5 million in add-ons, signing a five-year deal until 2030. He posted an emotional farewell to Villarreal on Instagram: “I never thought this day would come. The day I leave my home.”
His first season at Atlético was challenging, marked by injuries and an appendicitis that disrupted his rhythm. He made 46 appearances, 28 of them starts, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
International Career
Baena represented Spain at every youth level from U16 to U23, making over 50 appearances across all age groups.
He made his senior debut for the Spain national team in 2023. He was part of Spain’s Euro 2024 winning squad. Just weeks later, he helped Spain win the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, scoring in the 5-3 final victory over France.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Baena started seven of Spain’s eight matches. He scored the only goal in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay in the group stage and provided an assist in the 3-0 Round of 32 win over Austria. He became the first player in history to win a continental championship, an Olympic gold medal, and the FIFA World Cup in consecutive years.
Major Achievements
Villarreal
- Top assist provider in La Liga: 2023-24 (14 assists)
Spain National Team
- UEFA European Championship: 2024
- Olympic Games Gold Medal: 2024
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
Individual
Personal Life
Baena has been in a relationship with Alexandra Jiménez, a 26-year-old Madrid-born journalist, fashion and beauty influencer, and model. They began dating in 2024. Reports emerged during the 2026 World Cup that the couple had split, though Jiménez continued to support him publicly. The couple does not have children.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Álex Baena is celebrating Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph. He started seven of Spain’s eight matches and scored the winning goal against Uruguay. He turned 25 on 20 July 2026, the day after the World Cup final.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| Atlético Madrid pre-season | Begins after World Cup duty |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | Olympic Games Gold Medal | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | UEFA European Championship | Won (with Spain) |
| 2023-24 | La Liga Top Assist Provider | Won (14 assists) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Born in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain |
| 2007 | Joined CD Roquetas youth academy |
| 2011 | Joined Villarreal’s youth academy |
| 2019 | Made debut for Villarreal C and B |
| 2020 | Made first-team debut for Villarreal |
| 2021-22 | Loaned to Girona; helped secure promotion to La Liga |
| 2023 | Made senior debut for Spain |
| 2024 | Won Euro 2024 and Olympic gold with Spain |
| 2025 | Signed for Atlético Madrid for €45 million |
| 2026 | Won World Cup with Spain; started seven of eight matches |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal C | 2018-19 | 1 | 0 |
| Villarreal B | 2019-20 | 23 | 0 |
| Villarreal | 2020-25 | 108 | 15 |
| Girona (loan) | 2021-22 | 38 | 5 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2025-Present | 27 | 2 |
International Caps: 24 | International Goals: 3
FAQs
How old is Álex Baena?
Álex Baena was born on 20 July 2001 in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain, which makes him 25 years old as of 2026.
What is Álex Baena’s net worth?
Álex Baena’s net worth is not publicly confirmed. He signed a five-year contract with Atlético Madrid worth a reported €45 million transfer fee.
Which club does Álex Baena play for?
Álex Baena plays as a left midfielder or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid, wearing the number 10 shirt.
Has Álex Baena won the World Cup?
Yes. Baena was a key member of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, starting seven of eight matches and scoring against Uruguay.
What is Álex Baena’s historic achievement?
Baena became the first player in history to win the European Championship (2024), Olympic gold (2024), and the FIFA World Cup (2026) in consecutive years.
Is Álex Baena married?
Baena is not married but has been in a relationship with journalist and influencer Alexandra Jiménez since 2024.
What is Álex Baena’s height?
Álex Baena stands at 1.74 meters (5 feet 9 inches).
What position does Álex Baena play?
Álex Baena plays as a left midfielder or attacking midfielder. He is right-footed.
Where is Álex Baena from?
Álex Baena was born in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain.
What is Álex Baena’s contract situation?
Baena signed a five-year contract with Atlético Madrid in July 2025, keeping him at the club until 2030.
Key Takeaways
- Álex Baena is a Spanish midfielder born on 20 July 2001 in Roquetas de Mar, Almería.
- He came through Villarreal’s youth academy and made over 100 La Liga appearances for the club.
- He was loaned to Girona in 2021-22, helping them earn promotion to La Liga.
- He signed for Atlético Madrid in July 2025 for approximately €45 million.
- He won the European Championship (2024), Olympic gold (2024), and the World Cup (2026) in consecutive years, a feat no player has ever achieved.
- He started seven of Spain’s eight World Cup matches and scored the winning goal against Uruguay.
- He has been in a relationship with journalist and influencer Alexandra Jiménez since 2024.
- His net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Conclusion
Álex Baena’s rise from the streets of Roquetas de Mar to the pinnacle of world football is a story of perseverance, talent, and historic achievement. A product of Villarreal’s youth academy, he worked his way through the ranks, proving his quality with a loan at Girona and earning a move to one of Spain’s biggest clubs. But it is on the international stage where Baena has truly made history. In just two years, he has won the European Championship, Olympic gold, and the World Cup, a feat no player has ever achieved. At 25, he has already accomplished what many players dream of in a lifetime. As he prepares for his second season at Atlético Madrid, Álex Baena stands as a symbol of Spain’s golden generation and a player whose story is far from finished.
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