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Grimaldo returns to Lisbon: the question of the future remains open!
Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo talks about his return and his future at the club before the duel against Benfica.
Grimaldo returns to Lisbon: the question of the future remains open!
A very special reunion awaits Bayer Leverkusen and their star Alejandro Grimaldo. The 30-year-old returns with his new team to Lisbon, his former home at Benfica, where he was retired as champion in 2023 after an illustrious career. Grimaldo will wear the captain's armband for the suspended Robert Andrich - an important role that he plans to fill with flying colors.
Grimaldo, who played for the “Eagle” for seven years, looks back with sadness on his time in Benfica. However, the Spaniard evades the question about his professional future and instead emphasizes the importance of the current season for Bayer Leverkusen. His contract runs until 2027 and the club has already expressed interest in extending it with him. Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's sports boss, praises the kicker as a real role model player: "Grimaldo brings professionalism, training discipline and exceptional footballing qualities," said Rolfes.
A look behind the scenes of Grimaldo's career
Alejandro Grimaldo was born in Valencia in 2012 and joined the FC Barcelona youth team in 2008. At just 15 years old, he made his debut in the Catalans' B team, becoming the youngest player in the Segunda División. After suffering a serious knee injury in 2013, he returned and quickly gained attention by scoring his first professional goal in 2014.
In 2015, Grimaldo moved to Benfica, where he enjoyed impressive success before moving to Bayer Leverkusen, including winning the 2017 Taça de Portugal. After moving to the Werkself, he made his debut in the DFB Cup game against FC Teutonia Ottensen and quickly scored his first goal in the Bundesliga against Bayern Munich.
Current achievements and awards
Grimaldo quickly integrated into the team and was voted top assist provider with 13 assists in the 2023/24 season. He also found himself in the team of the season and received a nomination for the Ballon d’Or in 2024. In recent games he has impressively shown why he is one of Leverkusen's key players: in September he scored two free-kick goals against Eintracht Frankfurt and recently another brace in a thrilling 4-3 win over Mainz, which earned him the nomination for Player of the Month for October.
On November 4, 2025, in the run-up to the eagerly anticipated game against Benfica, it becomes clear that despite all his successes, Grimaldo still remains humble and focused on what is important - performance on the pitch. Bayer Leverkusen can look forward to a motivated and honored player who wants to impress with both his team spirit and his sporting performance.