Spain national team dey count down to face Austria for World Cup 2026, with coach Luis de la Fuente hoping to secure qualification for next round. He dey rely on midfielder Álex Baena, who play for Atlético Madrid and get strong career behind am.
For 24 years, Baena, wey come from Roquetas de Mar, don represent Spain for under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20, and under-21 levels. He make senior debut for 2023 against Cyprus, scoring di 5-0 goal for minute 77.
His ball skill don make De la Fuente include am for World Cup squad, as Spain dey eager to bring trophy home. Baena born for Almería for 2001, and now na one of di most talented midfielders for Spanish football, with vision and projection.
He get exceptional technical quality and natural ability to give final pass, wey don make am top-level playmaker. After becoming top assist provider for La Liga and shining for Villarreal CF — where he come through youth ranks and win Europa League for 2021 — Baena make big move for summer 2025 to join Atlético Madrid.
Di red-and-white club invest heavily for am to add creativity and dynamism to midfield, signing am to long-term contract. But his first season as colchonero no be smooth sailing, due to physical setbacks. Though he start by showing flashes of immense quality, an unfortunate muscle injury and later appendix surgery stop his rhythm.
Despite this preventing regular game time under Cholo Simeone, his influence on offensive play when fully fit remains undisputed. Baena don already become part of Spanish football history for unforgettable summer of 2024. He na one of very few players wey win two major tournaments within two months.
He win Euro 2024 for Germany with senior team, then few weeks later lead Spain midfield to Olympic gold for Paris 2024, even scoring direct free kick goal for final against France. His biggest supporter at international level na coach Luis de la Fuente, wey know am well from youth teams of La Rojita.
Ignoring those wey doubt his selection due to injury-hit season, De la Fuente include am for official 26-man Spain squad for 2026 World Cup for USA, Mexico, and Canada. For personal life, Álex Baena don always be very private person.
Di most media-heavy and complicated episode happen for April 2023, after match between Villarreal and Real Madrid for Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid player Fede Valverde physically attack Baena for stadium garage, supposedly because of disrespectful comments Baena allegedly make about Valverde wife pregnancy — something Baena deny strongly and with emotion.
Di case go to court after Baena file complaint, but criminal justice eventually archive di case due to inconsistencies for statements. However, Baena suffer severe online harassment and threats wey temporarily affect his family peace. Despite spending half life away from home — he move young to Villarreal residence — Álex Baena proudly represent Almería.
His family and childhood friends still dey for Roquetas de Mar. After his historic double of Euro and Olympic gold for 2024, di town council receive am officially, and di footballer show deep emotion seeing neighbours support am. Whenever competition calendar allow, he go back home to disconnect from football and find refuge with loved ones.
For his most private side, Baena prefer to keep low profile. Unlike other players of his generation, his social media focus almost 90% on profession: training photos, matches with Atlético Madrid, and celebrations with Spain national team. He no dey expose romantic life or daily activities outside sports facilities, wey help am maintain stability for Madrid after tough months.
Di relationship between Álex Baena and Luis de la Fuente na one of maximum mutual trust, loyalty, and football harmony. No be exaggeration to say De la Fuente na di great mentor of di midfielder for elite football, and Baena na one of di coach most trusted soldiers. Moreover, di coach of La Roja know Baena since he be teenager.
Before stepping up to senior team, De la Fuente coach Baena for Spain youth teams, especially Under-21. He don see his evolution step by step, know his strengths, limits, and character, wey create almost automatic understanding: Baena know exactly what di coach dey ask for field, and di coach know how to extract player talent.
Di real test of their relationship come for summer 2024. After tough season for Baena personally due to media fallout from Valverde incident, Luis de la Fuente no hesitate to protect am. He call am up for Euro 2024 for Germany and then back his presence for Paris Olympics.
For young player, having coach give you key to team for such big stage during storm na greatest gesture of loyalty possible. Baena repay that confidence by performing at spectacular level for both tournaments. Di latest reflection of this harmony see for final squad for 2026 World Cup.
After difficult year for Baena at Atlético Madrid due to appendix and muscle problems wey stop regular play, many analysts doubt his call-up. But De la Fuente still include am, showing di bond between dem.
