Alex Padilla (footballer)

For the American politician, see Alex Padilla.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Padilla and the second or maternal family name is Pérez.

Alejandro "Álex" Padilla Pérez (born 1 September 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga MX club UNAM, on loan from Athletic Bilbao.^[1] Born in Spain, he represents the Mexico national team.

Alex Padilla

Personal information
Full name	Alejandro Padilla Pérez
Date of birth	(2003-09-01) 1 September 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Zarautz, Spain
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	UNAM (on loan from Athletic Bilbao)[1]
Number	1
Youth career
	Zarautz
2019–2021	Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Basconia	24	(0)
2022–2024	Bilbao Athletic	51	(0)
2024–	Athletic Bilbao	5	(0)
2025–	→ UNAM (loan)	6	(0)
International career
2021–2022	Spain U19	6	(0)
2024–	Mexico U23	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 March 2025

Early life

Padilla was born in Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country to a Spanish father (from Bergara) and a Mexican mother.^[2][3] At three months old, he moved with his parents to his mother's hometown of Camargo, Chihuahua and lived there until age 7.^[4]

Club career

Padilla joined Athletic Bilbao's Lezama Facilities in 2019, from hometown side CD Zarautz.^[5] He made his senior debut with the farm team CD Basconia on 15 September 2021, starting in a 2–2 Tercera División RFEF away draw against CD 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 CF La Nucía. In 2023, he was called up to the pre-season with the main squad.^[6][7]

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 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.^[8][9]

On 9 January 2025, Padilla joined Mexican club UNAM on a six-month loan.^[10]

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.^[4] On 22 March, he made his debut in a 4–2 defeat against Argentina.

Senior

On 29 August 2024, Padilla received his first call-up to the Mexico national team.^[11]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 6 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Basconia	2021–22	Tercera Federación	24	0	—		—		—		24	0
Bilbao Athletic	2022–23	Primera Federación	25	0	—		—		—		25	0
	2023–24	Segunda Federación	26	0	—		—		—		26	0
	Total		51	0	—		—		—		51	0
Athletic Bilbao	2024–25	La Liga	5	0	0	0	—		—		5	0
UNAM (loan)	2024–25	Liga MX	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
Career total			80	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	80	0