Aleix Vidal
A versatile Spanish winger whose explosive pace and late-career reinvention saw him claim major trophies with Barcelona.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Spanish footballer·Birthday: August 21·Millennials
Biography
Aleix Vidal's career is a story of adaptation and seizing unexpected opportunities. A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, he was released as a teenager, forging a path through Spain's lower divisions with tenacity. His breakthrough came as a blisteringly fast right winger for Almería and then Sevilla, where his direct running and crossing caught the eye. In a surprising twist, Barcelona brought him back in 2015, not for his original position, but to convert him into a right-back—a role he learned under intense pressure at the Camp Nou. Though his time at Barça was marked by a long trophy ban and inconsistent playing time, he collected a stack of honors, including a La Liga title and a Champions League medal. After leaving Barcelona, he demonstrated his resilience, returning to a winger role and becoming a key veteran for clubs like Espanyol, showcasing the versatile skill set honed at the highest level.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aleix was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aleix Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Aleix's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the UEFA Europa League three times consecutively with Sevilla FC in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
- Secured a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a UEFA Champions League medal as part of FC Barcelona's squad.
- Earned a cap for the Spanish national team in 2015, marking his arrival as an international-level player.
Did You Know?
He was serving a FIFA-imposed transfer ban when he signed for Barcelona, which delayed his official debut for several months.
Before becoming a professional footballer, he worked in his family's bakery business.
He scored his first goal for FC Barcelona against his former club, Sevilla.
“From the third division to Camp Nou, my pace was the only constant in a changing career.”
