Álex Balboa Explained

Álex Balboa
Fullname:Alejandro Balboa Bandeira
Birth Date:6 March 2001
Birth Place:Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Height:1.81m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Almere City
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:2005–2013
Youthclubs1:Aurrerá Vitoria
Youthyears2:2013–2020
Youthclubs2:Alavés
Years1:2020–2021
Clubs1:San Ignacio
Caps1:11
Goals1:2
Years2:2021–2023
Clubs2:Alavés B
Caps2:37
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–2024
Clubs3:Alavés
Caps3:11
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Huesca (loan)
Caps4:13
Goals4:1
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Almere City
Caps5:1
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Equatorial Guinea
Nationalcaps1:15
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:10 August 2024
Nationalteam-Update:10 June 2024

Alejandro 'Álex' Balboa Bandeira (born 6 March 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Almere City. Born in Spain, he plays for the Equatorial Guinea national team.

Early life

Balboa was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz to Equatoguinean parents. His maternal grandfather is originally from São Tomé and Príncipe. His paternal side, the Balboa, is of distant Cuban descent.[1]

Club career

Balboa joined Deportivo Alavés' youth setup in 2013, from CD Aurrerá de Vitoria. He made his senior debut with farm team Club San Ignacio during the 2020–21 season in Tercera División, but finished the campaign playing with the reserves in Segunda División B.

Balboa made his first team debut on 30 November 2021, starting in a 3–0 away win over Unami CP, for the season's Copa del Rey.[2] He made his professional debut on 13 August of the following year, coming on as a late substitute for Jon Guridi in a 2–1 Segunda División away win over CD Leganés.

On 12 July 2023, Balboa renewed his contract with the Babazorros until 2026,[3] and moved on loan to SD Huesca in the second division on 8 August.[4]

In July 2024, Balboa joined Eredivisie club Almere City on a two-year deal with the option for a third.[5]

International career

Balboa made his senior debut for Equatorial Guinea on 7 September 2021.[6]

Personal life

Balboa's uncle is former Real Madrid footballer Javier Balboa,[7] who also played for the Equatorial Guinea national football team.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
San Ignacio2020-21Tercera División112112
Alavés B2020-21Segunda División B150150
2021-22Tercera División200200
2022-23Segunda Federación2020
Total370370
Alavés2021-22La Liga001010
2022-23Segunda División11040150
2023-24La Liga0000
Total11050160
Huesca (loan)2023-24Segunda División10010110
Almere City2024-25Eredivisie100010
Career Total70260762

International

Equatorial Guinea
YearAppsGoals
202140
202230
202340
202440
Total120

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PRESENCIA DE LA SOCIEDAD ABAKUÁ EN FERNANDO POO A FINALES DEL SIGLO XIX. 7. Today, although there is no memory of their origins, many Cuban surnames are preserved among Creole families: Moreno, Castillo, Riquito, Mata, Rivas, Balboa, Valcárcel, etc..
  2. Web site: El último salto de Álex Balboa. The latest jump of Álex Balboa. El Correo. es. 30 November 2021. 9 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Alex Balboa, albiazul hasta 2026. Alex Balboa, white-and-blue until 2026. Deportivo Alavés. es. 12 July 2023. 9 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Alex Balboa jugará cedido en el SD Huesca. Alex Balboa will play on loan at SD Huesca. Deportivo Alavés. es. 8 August 2023. 9 August 2023.
  5. Web site: Álex Balboa de ring in namens Almere City FC. Álex Balboa enters the ring for Almere City FC. Dutch. almerecity.nl. 4 July 2024. 4 July 2024.
  6. Web site: Match Report of Equatorial Guinea vs Mauritania. 7 September 2021. Global Sports Archive. 7 September 2021.
  7. Web site: El CD Castellón tantea la cesión del capitán del Alavés B. 17 June 2021 . es. 7 September 2021.