Alejandro "Alex" Alcalá Solorio (born 20 October 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City. Born in the United States, he is a youth international for Mexico.

Alex Alcalá
Personal information
Full name Alejandro Alcalá Solorio[1]
Date of birth (2005-10-20) 20 October 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Stockton, California, United States[1]
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Manchester City
Youth career
Stockton TLJ FC Rebels
2020–2021 LA Galaxy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 LA Galaxy II 22 (3)
2024– Manchester City 0 (0)
International career
Mexico U15
Mexico U16
2022– Mexico U18 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:00, 16 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2022

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Stockton, California, Alcalá started his career with local side Stockton TLJ FC Rebels.[2] He spent time training with Manchester City, Barcelona and Pachuca before joining the LA Galaxy academy in 2020.[3] He signed professional terms with the Galaxy in February 2021.[4]

In July 2021, it was announced that English side Manchester City have a pre-arrangement with La Galaxy to have first refusal to Alcalá's buyout clause once he turns 18.[5][6][7]

In July 2022, having not yet made his debut for LA Galaxy II, he was named to the MLS Next All-Star Game for 2022.[8]

Manchester City

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On 11 January 2024, Alcalá signed a five-year deal with Manchester City's Elite Development Squad.[9]

International career

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Eligible to represent both Mexico and the United States at international level, Alcalá has been capped by Mexico at various youth level.[1][10]

Style of play

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A skilful and fast midfielder, Alcalá models his play style on Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, and states that he admires the playing style of Jesús Manuel Corona.[6][11] He has been referred to as the "Mexican Messi", due to his stature and playing style being similar to that of Argentine legend Lionel Messi.[2][12] However, Alcalá says that he does not like this comparison, and wants to make his own impact on the game.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Alex Alcalá at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b "Alex Alcalá, el 'Messi mexicano' de 13 años" [Alex Alcalá, the 13-year-old 'Mexican Messi']. notimerica.com (in Spanish). 3 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  3. ^ Garcia, Adriana (17 February 2021). "LA Galaxy sign teen prodigy Alcala to first professional contract". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. ^ Daniels, Tim (17 February 2021). "15-Year-Old Alex Alcala, LA Galaxy Agree to Contract". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  5. ^ Hasija, Jatin (22 November 2020). "MLS News: Mexico's Alex Alcala Set To Sign For LA Galaxy". thesportsrush.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b Tovar, René (6 July 2021). "Manchester City tiene preacuerdo con joya mexicana para llevárselo a Inglaterra" [Manchester City has a pre-agreement with a Mexican jewel to take him to England]. espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  7. ^ "LA Galaxy prodigy who humiliated Man United has already agreed to sign for Man City". marca.com. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  8. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (27 July 2022). "LA Galaxy Academy's Alex Alcala, Ruben Ramos get MLS Next honors". lagconfidential.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Dual national Alex Alcalá, 18, signs Man City development deal". ESPN. 11 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Alex Alcalá". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Tiene 15 años y ya es la gran promesa en la MLS: Alex Alcalá, el "Messi mexicano" del LA Galaxy" [He is 15 years old and is already the great promise in the MLS: Alex Alcalá, the "Mexican Messi" of the LA Galaxy]. infobae.com (in Spanish). 24 February 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  12. ^ Vidal, Luis (19 April 2022). "Who Is Alex Alcalá? The Mexican Kid Who Destroyed Manchester United's U17 Defense". the18.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
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