Alejandro Grimaldo
A left-back who plays like a creative midfielder — elite left-foot delivery, dead-ball mastery, and the timing to arrive in the box like a winger.
Playing Style Summary
Grimaldo is one of the most attacking full-backs of his generation — a left-footed technician whose output in goals and assists resembles a wide forward more than a defender. At Bayer Leverkusen he was the left wing-back of Xabi Alonso's unbeaten 2023-24 Bundesliga champions, living high and wide, combining in the half-space and arriving at the back post. His crossing, set-piece delivery and direct free-kicks make him a constant threat from wide and dead-ball situations. In the summer of 2026 he returned to Spain, joining Atlético Madrid from Leverkusen.
Defining Traits
Left-Foot Delivery
His crossing is varied and precise — whipped balls between keeper and defenders, cut-backs to the penalty spot, and lofted deliveries to the far post. He rarely wastes a final-third possession.
Dead-Ball Specialist
Grimaldo is one of Europe's most dangerous free-kick takers, capable of scoring directly from 25 yards and delivering corners and wide free-kicks with real pace and curve.
Wing-Back Timing
He arrives rather than waits — timing runs from deep to attack the far post or the edge of the box when play is switched, which is why his goal tally is so unusual for a defender.
Combination Play Out Wide
Comfortable in tight spaces on the touchline, he plays one-twos with the inside forward and interior midfielder to break wide pressure rather than relying on pace alone.
Strengths
- Elite crossing and cut-back quality from the left
- Direct free-kick threat and set-piece delivery
- Goal and assist output far above the norm for a defender
- Intelligent off-ball runs to the far post and the edge of the box
- Technical security in combinations under wide pressure
Limitations
- Physically slight — can be targeted in aerial duels at the back post
- Defensive positioning can be exposed in transition when he has pushed high
- Less suited to one-v-one isolation against quick, powerful wingers
More Spain players
See the full squad →Pedri
“The purest inheritor of Barcelona's positional play tradition — elite first touch, spatial intelligence, and the ability to find passes nobody else can see.”
Rodrigo Hernández
“The benchmark modern pivot — positional discipline, press resistance and tempo control, with the composure to decide the biggest games himself.”
Martín Zubimendi
“A disciplined, intelligent screening midfielder — clean in possession, sharp in reading play, and comfortable as the anchor of a double pivot.”
Fabián Ruiz
“A left-footed interior with a playmaker's vision — calm on the ball, sharp in the press, and a regular scorer of big-tournament goals.”
Gavi
“Relentless energy with a La Masia touch — a pressing machine who combines in tight spaces and plays every duel as if it decides the match.”
Mikel Merino
“The midfielder who became a centre-forward — a tall, tireless box-arriver whose late runs, aerial power and pressing intensity make him a tactical multi-tool.”
The Bench View app
Want to play like Grimaldo? Train it.
Everything you read here, turned into training you can follow step by step.
Physical training at home
AI daily sessions adapted to your level and position. No equipment needed.
Tactical training courses
Step-by-step courses on positioning, pressing, build-up and decision making.
- 7 days free
- No commitment
- Cancel anytime
Free account: 2 physical sessions + the first tactical course. PRO: 7-day free trial — cancel before day 8 and you pay nothing.
