Alejandro Balde Martínez, born on October 18, 2003, is a talented Spanish professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a left-back. He has impressed both at the club level with Barcelona and internationally with the Spain national team.
Full name: Alejandro Balde Martínez | |
Date of birth: 18 October 2003 (age 20) | |
Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain | |
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | |
Weight: 74kg | |
Current team: Barcelona | |
Number: 3 | |
Position: Left-back |
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, to a Bissau-Guinean father and a Dominican mother, Alejandro Balde started his education at Los Porxos school, where he also began playing soccer alongside his brother Eddie Balde.
Balde’s football journey took a significant turn in 2011 when he joined Barcelona at the aage of eight, having previously progressed through the ranks at Espanyol. His talent and dedication were evident early on, leading to a contract renewal with Barcelona until 2024, including a release clause of 500 million euros.
His skills continued to impress, and by the summer of 2021, he had become Jordi Alba’s primary backup at the Camp Nou. His official debut for Barcelona’s first team came on 14 September 2021, when he replaced Alba in the 74th minute of a match against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
In the 2022–23 season, Balde’s role in the team expanded under coach Xavi, starting in more league matches than Alba and playing more minutes in crucial games. This progress was recognized with a new contract extension until 2028, with a buyout clause set at €1 billion.
Read More: João Cancelo: Bio, Career Info, Net Worth, Achievements, Endorsement and More
International Career and Choice of National Team
Balde has roots in Guinea-Bissau but chose to play for Spain over Guinea-Bissau. He unexpectedly joined the Spain national team just two days before the 2022 FIFA World Cup began, as José Gayà, the left-back from Valencia, injured his ankle during training. Balde made his international debut on 23 November 2022, coming on for Jordi Alba in the 64th minute of a 7-0 victory against Costa Rica.
Family Background
Alejandro Balde is the youngest child and son of his parents, Saliu (father) and Gledys (mother). He has two siblings, Eddie and Nersi.
Girlfriend and Wife
As of now, Alejandro Balde is currently single and fully focused on his football career. Despite being a young and talented footballer, Balde has chosen to prioritize his career and has not been publicly linked with anyone romantically. His dedication to the sport is admirable, and it is clear that he is determined to make a name for himself in the football world.
Alex Balde’s Net Worth and Salary
Alex Balde’s net worth is $500k. He earns a €160,000 salary per season playing for Barcelona. His weekly salary is €3,077.
Endorsement
Balde is a Nike-endorsed player. He will wear the Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 soccer cleats in the 2023-24 season.
Read More: Éder Militão: Net Worth, Salary, Transfer Value, Endorsement and Career Highlights
Playing Style and Strengths
Balde Martínez is known for his versatility, able to play in multiple positions across the left flank. His defensive abilities are exceptional, with a keen sense of positioning and excellent tackling skills. Additionally, he is a threat going forward, often providing assists and scoring goals with his attacking prowess.