ALEJANDRO BALDE NEWS

Registers assist Balde registered one assist from two chances created and attempted five crosses (two accurate) in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Grenada.

Impact Balde sent in the cross for the equalizer to register his first attacking return of the season. The left-back has started all but two games so far and has created four goal-scoring opportunities in his last two games. He will hope to improve on the six assists he managed in 33 appearances last season

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs extension with club Balde agreed to terms on a contract extension with Barcelona on Wednesday that will keep him at the club through 2028.

Impact Balde has started all but one of Barcelona's La Liga and UCL clashes this season in which he registered 13 crosses (two accurate), seven clearances and one shot (off target). The left-back should be cemented in the starting XI but could occasionally be rested as a substitute given the club's busy schedule.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts in three of four contests Balde featured in three of the club's four matches this season, recording six crosses (two accurate), five clearances and one chance created.

Impact Balde should be a mainstay in the starting XI for Barcelona this season, though the addition of Champions League action could see him rested periodically Still, when the left-back is in action, he should generate plenty of crosses from the backline as he pushes the attack.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sees pitch in second half Balde (ankle) subbed on at halftime against Arsenal on Wednesday, logging 45 minutes in which he registered one shot (off target), one cross (inaccurate) and two tackles.

Impact Balde was a mainstay in the Barcelona backline last season, starting 30 of his 33 La Liga contests. In league competition, the defender recorded one goal on 19 shots (four on target), six assists and 67 crosses (22 accurate). Given his ability to push the attack, Balde should offer decent fantasy upside heading into the 2023-24 campaign.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Carried off with ankle injury Balde was forced to be carried off during Sunday's match against Mallorca with a nasty ankle injury.

Impact Balde will likely be done for the season after a bad tackle left him to be carried off the field Sunday. He was replaced by Sergi Roberto during the 17th minute. If this is the end of the season, he will end with 33 starts in 39 appearances, totaling a goal, six assists, 80 crosses (24 accurate) and 44 tackles (30 won). The status of his return before preseason camp is unclear, depending on the severity of his injury.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores, assists in derby win Balde scored a goal off two shots and made an assist during Sunday's 4-2 win over Espanyol.

Impact Balde had one of the biggest offensive outputs of his career, assisting Robert Lewandowski for the opening goal of the match and then appearing unmarked at the far post to make it 2-0 for Barcelona in just 20 minutes. This has been a breakthrough campaign for the wonderkid, who beat veterans Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso to become the first choice at left-back not only at his club but also on the Spanish national team.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona wins Spanish league for 1st time since 2019

Barcelona has captured its first La Liga title since 2019 behind two goals by Robert Lewandowski.

MAY 14, 2023

Seven crosses in win Alex Balde recorded seven crosses (three accurate) and one chance created in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Osasuna.

Impact Balde whipped in seven crosses (three accurate) Tuesday, tying his season high. He also created one chance for the first time since March 19, and won one tackle in his 76 minutes of action.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On yellow card watch Alex Balde generated one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 32nd minute.

Impact Balde will have to be careful moving forward as he is one yellow card away from a one-match suspension. He has recorded 24 crosses (eight won) in the last five games, bringing his average a contest to two in league play.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist against Real Madrid Balde assisted a goal and made a clearance in Sunday's 2-1 El Clasico victory against Real Madrid.

Impact Balde set up Franck Kessie's late game winner on Sunday to complete Barcelona's comeback win over their El Clasico rivals and virtually lock down the club's first La Liga title since 2018/19. This was Balde's fifth assist of the season from left-back, and he's created five chances across his last three games.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up opening goal Alex Balde assisted once to go with two crosses (one accurate) and three chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Betis.

Impact Alex Balde set up Barcelona's opening goal that was tapped in by Raphinha from very close range. The Spain international has four assists in league play, but this was the first one since Sep. 17 in a regular role for him at left-back. He's made 15 starts in 17 league outings for Barca.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Young Spain squad and its 'tiki-taka' stumble at World Cup

For the third time since winning the World Cup in 2010, Spain leaves the tournament without making it to the quarterfinals

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wins three tackles against Japan Balde won all three of his tackles during 68 minutes of Thursday's 2-1 loss to Japan.

Impact Balde started once in three group stage matches since arriving as a late addition to the squad when Jose Gaya suffered an ankle injury. It's quite impressive to contribute this much despite his young age, though Jordi Alba seems more likely to start for important knockout round matches.

DECEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Young Spain squad makes World Cup debut against Costa Rica

A new era is about to start for Spain at the World Cup as a generation of talented young players take center stage in its quest to win a second world title

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Spain defender Azpilicueta seeks success at 3rd World Cup

César Azpilicueta is one of only six players with previous World Cup experience in Spain’s 26-man squad

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Spain call up Alejandro Balde to replace Jose Gaya in World Cup squad Spain have confirmed that injured left-back Jose Gaya will be replaced in their 26-player World Cup squad by Barcelona youngster Alejandro B...

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Spain calls up Balde to replace injured Gayà for World Cup

Spain has called up Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde to replace injured left back José Gayà less than a week before the team’s opening World Cup match against Costa Rica

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Called up for World Cup Balde was called into Spain's World Cup roster as a replacement for the injured Jose Gaya (ankle), the RFEF announced Friday.

Impact An expected move after Balde narrowly missed out on a call-up in the first place, he'll head to Qatar to compete with club teammate Jordi Alba for minutes at left-back. As Balde often starts over Alba for Barcelona it will be interesting to see how the two split minutes for their national side, for which Alba is the preferred option now that Gaya is unavailable with a sprained ankle.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs three crosses in loss Balde logged three inaccurate crosses and put one shot off target during Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich.

Impact Balde has started in three of the last four matches, winning just once and suffering defeat on the other two occasions. While his presence isn't a bad omen, Balde hasn't logged more than four crosses in a single start this season and isn't likely to put up great numbers if his team is out of form.

OCTOBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona beats Celta for 7th win in a row in Spanish league

Barcelona keeps on winning in the Spanish league

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comes off bench in loss Balde logged four crosses (one accurate) during 26 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Inter Milan.

Impact Balde came in late to replace Marcos Alonso and logged a season-high in crosses during a single game. It remains to be seen if Balde did enough to establish himself over Alonso on a regular basis but for now both will get plenty of starts amidst a busy month.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lewandowski leads Barça at Mallorca; Atlético tops Sevilla

Robert Lewandowski has scored again to lead Barcelona’s 1-0 win at Mallorca as the Poland striker continues destroying defenses in his arrival to Spanish league

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Logs two assists in win Balde logged two assists from two chances created and kept a clean sheet during Saturday's 3-0 win over Elche.

Impact Balde did well on his return to the lineup as he's held down his place in league contests while Marcos Alonso features in UCL games. With both Alonso and Jordi Alba behind him, Balde has done well to keep his place but any dip in form could see him dropped to the bench fairly quickly.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lewandowski scores 2 more as Barcelona beats Elche 3-0

Robert Lewandowski has shaken off his disappointing return to Bayern Munich by scoring twice to lead Barcelona to a 4-0 victory at home over 10-man Elche in the Spanish league

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Logs assist in win Balde provided one assist from two chances created in 64 minutes of Sunday's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Balde started as the left-wing-back with Jordi Alba subbing in late into the contest. With a solid performance under his belt, Balde could certainly play a few more times in the first team but isn't likely to be a regular starter just yet.

AUGUST 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE