If you’ve spent any time watching Atlético Madrid over the last decade, you know the deal with José María Giménez. One minute he's a brick wall, basically a human magnet for the ball, and the next, he's heading down the tunnel with yet another hamstring tweak. It’s the ultimate "what if" story of modern La Liga. Honestly, looking at the José María Giménez stats for the 2025/26 season, you see the same old pattern—flashes of absolute world-class defending mixed with frustrating gaps in the calendar.
He’s 30 now. In center-back years, that’s supposed to be the prime, right? But with Giménez, the prime has always been about availability rather than ability. When he's on the pitch, Atleti looks like a different team. When he’s not, Simeone starts looking at the bench with that specific brand of Argentinian stress.
The 2025/26 Numbers: A Season of Highs and Lows
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how he’s actually performing right now. So far this season, the Uruguayan has managed about 7 league appearances. That sounds low, but you've gotta remember he missed almost all of August and September with—you guessed it—a hamstring injury.
But here is where it gets interesting. In those few games, his defensive impact was massive. We're talking about a guy who still averages over 5 clearances per game. He isn't just "participating"; he's leading.
Key Stats Breakdown (Current Season)
In the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, his presence has been felt in small, intense bursts:
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- Minutes Played: ~543 (across 7 matches)
- Clearances per game: 5.37 (ranking him high among La Liga CBs)
- Interceptions: 1.19 per 90
- Aerial Duels Won: 2.14 per 90
- Clean Sheets: He’s helped secure several during his stints, including that tight 1-0 win over Osasuna.
The Champions League has been his real stage this year. Did you see the Inter Milan game back in November? Cholo Simeone was losing his mind on the touchline, and then in the 90th minute, Giménez rises above everyone to thump home a header. That 2-1 win wouldn't have happened without him. It was his first goal since 2022, and it reminds everyone why he's still at the club despite the medical bills.
The Injury Ghost That Won't Go Away
You can't talk about José María Giménez stats without the elephant in the room: the medical report. It’s kinda heartbreaking. Since 2013, he’s had over 40 distinct injury layoffs.
Just this past December, after a tough 3-1 loss to Barcelona, he was caught on camera telling Johnny Cardoso that he felt his hamstring go again. He missed the next four games. This is the "Giménez Tax." If you want the player who can pocket the best strikers in the world, you have to accept that he might only do it for 20 games a season.
Last season (2024/25), he actually managed 27 appearances. For him, that’s a ironman run. He recorded 115 clearances and 27 interceptions in that span. But the arrival of guys like Robin Le Normand and the veteran presence of Clement Lenglet means he doesn't have to play every single minute anymore. That might actually prolong his career.
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How He Compares to the Rest of La Liga
If you look at the advanced metrics from FBref and Opta, Giménez is still a statistical anomaly. His "per 90" numbers for clearances and blocks usually put him in the top 10% of European defenders.
He’s not a "modern" ball-playing center-back in the way someone like Pau Torres is. His progressive carries are pretty low—about 0.15 per 90. He basically says, "I'll win the ball, you do the fancy stuff." That said, his pass completion is surprisingly high, sitting at roughly 90.7%. He’s efficient, not flashy.
Compare him to someone like Matthijs de Ligt or Micky van de Ven. While those guys have more "active" defensive styles, Giménez is all about positioning and that old-school Uruguayan Garra Charrúa. He’s a leader. He organizes. When he’s playing, the rest of the backline looks 20% more confident.
The International Picture
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Uruguay still views him as the captain-in-waiting (or just the captain, depending on Godín's shadow). He’s sitting at 97 caps right now. He’ll almost certainly hit that 100-mark before the summer. For the national team, his stats are even more vital. In the CONMEBOL qualifiers, his aerial win rate jumps up to nearly 3.5 per game. South American football is a scrap, and Josema loves a scrap.
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Why the "Josema" Era Isn't Over
A lot of people think Atlético should have moved on years ago. But look at the contract. He’s signed until June 2028. The club knows they can’t find his level of intensity for a reasonable price in this market. His market value has dipped to around €14M because of the age and the legs, but his "value to the system" is way higher.
Basically, he’s become the ultimate specialist. He’s the guy you bring in for the big nights—the derbies against Real, the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking his performance for fantasy or just following the league, here’s how to read his "stock" right now:
- The "Fit" Window: Always check the squad list 60 minutes before kickoff. Giménez is rarely a "maybe"; he's either starting or he's out for three weeks.
- Set Piece Threat: His xG (Expected Goals) is actually rising. He’s getting more touches in the opposition box this season (nearly 1.0 per 90) than he has in the last three years.
- Discipline: He’s still prone to a yellow. He has 2 in just 7 league games this year. He plays on the edge, which is great for a defender but bad for your disciplinary record.
Ultimately, the José María Giménez stats tell a story of a warrior whose body is trying to retire while his heart is still in 2014. He’s still one of the most effective pure defenders in Spain. You just have to enjoy him while he’s actually on the grass.
If you are looking to track his next move, keep an eye on the Copa del Rey fixtures. Simeone has been using these games to build his match fitness back up after this latest hamstring scare. He’s expected to be back in the starting lineup for the upcoming clash against Deportivo La Coruña.