Alex Baena, from scuffle with Valverde to feat against Lionel Messi
Alex Baena, 25, turned an evening marked by an altercation with Federico Valverde in the car park into a decisive moment in the Football Nations League at Wembley, where he equalised against England after Harry Kane's missed penalty saved by Unai Simon, then provided the assist to Mikel Oyarzabal.
Brawl in the car park
After Villarreal's match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, a fight broke out in the car park of the shuttle buses between Baena and Valverde. Baena filed a complaint, claiming he had been punched in the stomach. The Spanish justice system ultimately dismissed the complaint.
Decisive performance at Wembley
In the Football Nations League, Baena came on in the 55th minute, replacing Nico Williams. Five minutes later, he scored his fourth goal for the Spanish, equalising 2‑2 against England. He then delivered the assist to Mikel Oyarzabal, who secured the 2‑3 victory.
A promising start to the season
At Atlético Madrid, Baena has already scored four times in seven La Liga matches, alternating between left winger and centre‑forward. He is the top assister of the 2023/24 season with fourteen assists. His record transfer of forty‑two million euros made him the biggest sale in Villarreal's history.
Baena earned his 25th cap at twenty‑five, after being called up for the first time in September 2023. He took part in Euro 2024, playing against Italy and Albania, then played a major role in winning Olympic gold, with a goal and an assist in the final against France. He joins Lionel Messi and Ángel Di Maria as one of the few to hold continental, Olympic and World titles.
Jonathan Lange, editor‑in‑chief of Les Sports, recalls Baena's confession: “I will never forget that in the car, on the road to Villarreal, my mother and I could not stop crying. I called her every time I did something.” This statement shows the emotional bond that drives him on the pitch.
The contrast between the violence in the car park and the feat at Wembley highlights that Baena, one of Spain's lesser‑known internationals, can become decisive. His impact confirms his excellent start to the season and draws attention to his future in the Nations League.