Alex Saniel

Alex Saniel (born 8 November 1996) is a Vanuatuan footballer who plays as a forward for Vanuatu United FC and the Vanuatu national team.

Club career Saniel started his career with the Teouma Academy, the national academy of Vanuatu. After stints with Yatel and Spirit 08 he went to New Zealand to play with the Fencibles United. In the end of 2016 after the season with Fencibles he returned home, where he immediately joined Ifira Black Bird for the Super League. In 2017 he returned to the Fencibles with whom he won the 2017 Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2. After that he joined Shepherds United in August 2017 to make a chance for the Vanuatu national football team. In 2019 he played for Papatoetoe AFC in Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Conference League. He also defended Fijian club Lautoka in 2019 Pacific Cup. In November 2019, it was announced that Alex Saniel would play for Franklin United in 2020. In 2021 he moved to Suva.

Saniel joined the OFC Pro League side Vanuatu United FC in 2026, where he scored the opening goal in the new era of professional Oceanian football.

National team In 2017 Saniel was called up for the Vanuatu national football team. He made his debut on November 23, 2017, in a 1–0 loss against Estonia when he played the whole 90 minutes.

International goals Scores and results list Vanuatu's goal tally first.

No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 2 December 2017 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu 1–0 2–1 2017 Pacific Mini Games 2. 6 June 2026 Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu 1–0 2–1 Friendly 3. 9 June 2026 2–2 2–2

Honours Vanuatu OFC Nations Cup: Runner-up, 2024 Pacific Mini Games: Gold Medalist, 2017 MSG Prime Minister's Cup: 2025 ; 3rd place, 2023

Vanuatu U20 OFC U-20 Championship: Runner-up, 2014

Individual OFC Professional League Golden Boot: 2026 OFC Professional League Team of the Season: 2026