Álex Padilla

Alejandro "Álex" Padilla Pérez (born 1 September 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. Born in Spain, he represented Mexico at youth internationally level.

Early life Padilla was born in Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country to a Spanish father (from Bergara) and a Mexican mother. At three months old, he moved with his parents to his mother's hometown of Camargo, Chihuahua and lived there until age seven.

Club career Padilla joined Athletic Bilbao's youth academy at Lezama in 2019, from hometown side Zarautz. He made his senior debut with the farm team Basconia on 15 September 2021, starting in a 2–2 Tercera División RFEF away draw against Anaitasuna.

Promoted to the reserves in Primera Federación ahead of the 2022–23 season, Padilla first appeared with the side on 28 August 2022, starting in a 2–1 home loss to La Nucía. In 2023, he was called up to the pre-season with the main squad.

Due to injuries to Unai Simón and Julen Agirrezabala in the summer of 2024, Padilla was the candidate to step into the first team for the beginning of the 2024–25 season. He appeared in several pre-season matches, including the second half of a 3–2 loss against Aston Villa, and made his La Liga debut as a starter against Getafe at the San Mamés on 15 August 2024; he made several saves, including from Carles Aleñá in a one-on-one situation, and was not at fault for the goal his side conceded in a 1–1 draw.

On 9 January 2025, Padilla joined Mexican club UNAM on a six-month loan.

International career Youth On 2 September 2021, Padilla made his debut for the Spain U19's, coming on as a half-time substitute for Alejandro Iturbe in a 5–1 win against Mexico.

In November 2021, Padilla was included for Spain's squad for the qualifying matches of the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He started and played the full 90 minutes against Azerbaijan, as his side cruised to a 6–0 win, qualifying for the elite round. In the elite round, Padilla had played the full matches over Austria and Poland, suffering a 2–2 and 3–3 draw and finishing second behind Austria, thus failing to qualify for the final tournament.

In March 2024, Padilla was called up by the Mexico national under-23 team. with Mexico.

Senior On 29 August 2024, Padilla received his first call-up to the Mexico national team.

Career statistics Club

Honours Bilbao Athletic Segunda Federación: 2023–24 (Group 2)

Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey: 2023–24