Alex Baena - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Back in starting lineup Sunday Baena (hamstring) is in the starting lineup to face Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Impact Baena was sidelined for one month due to his muscular issue but regained fitness ahead of the weekend matchup. His inclusion covers the absence of Nicolas Gonzalez (thigh) while leaving Thiago Almada among the substitutes. While it hasn't been the best season for Baena in terms of direct contributions with two goals and one assist in 14 appearances, he's capable of generating meaningful offensive stats either from a central or wide role.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal before hamstring issue Baena (hamstring) scored one goal before being forced off in the 62nd minute of Tuesday's 3-1 defeat against Atletico due to hamstring discomfort, he said to the media, according t...

Impact Baena will have to be assessed on Wednesday after being forced off around the hour mark in Tuesday's loss against Barcelona after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. The playmaker scored his second goal of the season in La Liga against the Blaugranas and attempted nine shots in his last five games across all competitions, highlighting his rising impact in the frontline of Atletico and the blow it would be to miss him in upcoming fixtures. If Baena had to miss some time, coach Diego Simeone could either play Thiago Almada as number 10 or revert to his natural 4-4-2 to introduce Alexander Sorloth in the frontline.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers eight crosses in win Alex Baena had two shots (one on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Getafe.

Impact Baena once again led the team with crosses, as he delivered eight in the win. The midfielder has now delivered eight or more crosses in three out of his last four games and has created 13 chances in that span.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leads match in crosses Baena generated three shots (one on goal), 12 crosses (three accurate) and seven corners in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Levante.

Impact Baena was back in the starting XI Saturday, with the winger earning his fourth straight start. He would see a decent outing despite not earning a goal or an assist, with three shots, three chances created and 11 crosses. That said, he now has double-digit crosses in two of his past three games.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

11 crosses in 3-0 win Alex Baena generated one shot (zero on goal), 11 crosses (three accurate) and eight corners in Saturday's 3-0 victory against Sevilla.

Impact Baena doubled his number of corners taken for the season with eight coming in this match. The midfielder was only starting his fourth game of the season in all competitions, and so far has scored one and provided one assist. He provided a total of 11 crosses in the match.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nets one in win Baena scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and three corners in Monday's 2-0 victory over Betis.

Impact Baena buried his squad's second goal of the match from the left side of the box, assisted by Julian Alvarez in first half extra time. The goal marked the first in league play this season for Baena, while it was his second goal contribution in four league outings. Additionally, this was his second consecutive league appearance accounting for a chance created and completing at least 20 passes.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back available Wednesday Baena (strain) is back available for Wednesday's clash against Rayo Vallecano, coach Diego Simeone said in the press conference.

Impact Baena has recovered from his muscle injury and appendicitis surgery and is back available for Wednesday's clash against Rayo Vallecano. The midfielder is expected to hold a decent role for the Colchoneros this season, although he will likely be eased back into action in upcoming fixtures to avoid any setbacks. Until he returns to full fitness, Nicolas Gonzalez is expected to see increased playing time.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes appendicitis surgery Baena has undergone successful appendicitis surgery and is out for the time being, the club announced.

Impact Baena is set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after undergoing successful appendicitis surgery on Tuesday while also managing a muscular injury. The approximate recovery time from that type of surgery is between three and six weeks. Until then, Thiago Almada is expected to get a larger role for the Colchoneros.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers muscle injury Baena has suffered a muscle injury, according to his club.

Impact Baena is going to head to the sidelines for a bit of time, with the midfielder going down with a low-grade muscle injury. He will now enter a rehabilitation phase, with that likely to decide his return to play. He did start in their opener, so this will force a change if he misses time, with Pablo Bariois as a possible replacement.

AUGUST 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs for Atleti Baena completed a transfer to Atleti from Villarreal, the club announced.

Impact Baena made a permanent move to Atleti, where he should compete immediately as the top option at left wing-back. The midfielder offers strong offensive threat after scoring a ridiculous seven goals and nine assists last season. The season prior he had 16 goal contributions as well, with two goals and 14 assists.

JULY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores one of four goals Baena scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing five times (one accurate) and creating a chance during Sunday's 4-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Baena found the back of the net in the 39th minute scoring Villarreal's third goal while leading the team with five crosses. The attacker had two goal involvements, eight shots, seven chances created and 12 crosses over his final three appearances.

MAY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up goal Baena assisted once to go with six shots (zero on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Leganes.

Impact Baena assisted Nicolas Pepe's goal just before halftime, created four chances, and also made a clearance. Baena has now registered two assists in his last three games and is just one away from reaching double digits in assists for a second straight season.

MAY 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Alex Baena assisted once to go with one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Osasuna. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 89th minu...

Impact Baena made his return after a four game injury absence. He came off the bench in the second half and managed to record his eighth assist of the season as he helped extend the lead late in the contest.

MAY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fit to face Osasuna Baena (calf) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Osasuna.

Impact Baena is back from his calf injury and is earning a spot on the bench Saturday. He is their typical starter on the left flank and will likely reclaim that spot after testing his legs, as it has been just under a month since he last took the field.

MAY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available Saturday Baena (calf) is available for selection for Saturday's clash with Osasuna, according to manager Marcelino.

Impact Baena is available for selection once more after overcoming a calf injury that sidelined him for a few weeks. He returned to full team training earlier in the week but he's now fully fit and available once more. Baena should be straight back in the starting XI, sending Alfonso Pedraza to the bench potentially.

MAY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in team training Baena (calf) was spotted back in team training on Tuesday, according to Pablo Casado from Nostresport.

Impact Baena has missed the last four games due to a calf injury but was spotted in team training on Tuesday, suggesting that his recovery is progressing well and that he could be nearing a return to the match squad. He is in a good position to return Saturday against Osasuna and, if deemed fit enough, could go straight into the starting XI on the left wing.

APRIL 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out several weeks Baena is suffering from discomfort in his calf due to his accumulated playing time this season and will be out for at least two weeks, Jonathan Ramos from Relevo reports.

Impact Baena has suffered a muscle injury in his calf that will force him to stop for a few weeks during the decisive stretch of the season. The accumulated fatigue has taken its toll after a string of competitions with little rest between the end of last season, the European Championship, the Olympic Games and this season. He will likely be monitored closely to avoid any setbacks, with Alfonso Pedraza expected to continue replacing him higher up the field.

APRIL 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out with calf discomfort Baena was ruled out of Sunday's 2-1 win over Betis due to calf discomfort, according to Pablo Casado Algarra of Nostresport.

Impact Baena is dealing with calf discomfort and was sidelined from Sunday's clash with Betis. He will likely be assessed by the medical team early this week to determine the extent of the issue and whether he will have to miss additional time. His absence would be a big blow for the yellow submarine as he is an important starter and the set piece taker. If he is unavailable, Alfonso Pedraza will likely step in for him again.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Seven crosses in draw Alex Baena registered three shots (zero on goal), seven crosses (four accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Athletic.

Impact Baena led the team with seven crosses delivered, four of which came from corners. Additionally, he took three shots, but none of them were on target as he was unable to break the deadlock in the draw.

APRIL 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Big target Saturday Baena generated four shots (two on goal), 17 crosses (three accurate) and eight corners in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Impact Baena had his best match of the season where he was not on the scoresheet, recording a season high of 17 crosses against Real Madrid. With 177 crosses, he has the second most in the league as he averages about seven per game. Despite being seven assists away from his career high, the midfielder is having one of his best years yet with Villarreal, as he surpasses his career high for crosses and is only a few away from matches his career high for chances created, corners and tackles.

MARCH 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Assists on Saturday Baena assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Baena set up the only goal of the game for Ayoze Perez in the 66th minute with a corner. Baena recorded the most crosses in the game, created three chances and also made three tackles. He has contributed to seven goals in the last 12 games and has the most goal contributions for Villareal this campaign.

FEBRUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Registers most crosses Baena had two shots (one on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Impact Baena registered the most crosses, created three chances, completed three dribbles and also made a tackle and an interception. He has started 21 of his 22 appearances, contributed to four goals in the last eight games and has the most goal involvements for his team this campaign.

FEBRUARY 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs goal and assist Baena scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 victory versus Las Palmas. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 90th minu...

Impact Baena got the game's goal-scoring going with his second scored across Villarreal's last four games. Not long later, Baena assisted an Ayoze Perez goal that ultimately proved to be Villarreal's game-winner. The assist killed a drought Baena had suffered in said category, with him having logged zero assists between October and January.

FEBRUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Productive without goal contribution Baena recorded four shots (zero on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 5-1 victory versus Valladolid.

Impact Despite not being involved in any of his side's five goals Saturday, Baena still had a very productive outing. He once again acted as a creative force as he created four chances for the eighth time this season and recorded seven crosses for the 11th time. He also took four shots, however he failed to put one on target. He added three corners and one clearance in his productive 90 minutes of action.

FEBRUARY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit crosses in draw Alex Baena had 10 crosses (four accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Alex Baena led the Villarreal attack Saturday with 10 crosses attempted (four accurate) in their 1-1 draw versus Ateltico Madrid. Having now attempted 127 crosses (43 accurate) over his 19 appearances (18 starts) in league play this season, the wide-midfielder is on pace to break his previous career high mark of crosses attempted in a single domestic campaign which he set during the 2023/2024 La Liga campaign when he attempted 175 crosses (59 accurate) across 34 appearances (33 starts). Over his most recent five appearance (five starts), Baena has created 13 chances and scored twice.

JANUARY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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