Key Takeaways
- Juan Lebron and Ale Galan, who previously competed as partners, are certain to reunite for Spain, according to national coach Juanjo Gutierrez.
- Asked about ongoing questions over the pair’s relationship, Gutierrez rejected those concerns and said: “I’m convinced they like each other, even if it might not seem like it.”
- Although the specific tie and round have yet to be determined, the coach promised that “they will play together” at the tournament.
Juan Lebron and Ale Galan set for on-court reunion with Spain
Former world No. 1 duo Juan Lebron and Ale Galan will reunite in Spanish colors, national team coach Juanjo Gutierrez has confirmed. The announcement came as Gutierrez spoke with VeinteDiez at the press conference held after Spain officially unveiled its squad for the World Cup in Qatar, where he addressed widespread discussion about the two stars’ relationship.
Despite the friction seen between the former teammates on the professional tour, Gutierrez made clear that he remains highly confident in the bond between them. The coach said, “I’m convinced they like each other, even if it might not seem like it,” and then offered an unequivocal assurance that they would compete together again: “Yes, they will play together, I don’t know when or in which round, but they will play together.”
Past friction and possible tactical combinations
After ending a landmark professional partnership in March 2024, Lebron and Galan briefly reunited in November for the 2024 World Championship final in Qatar. Their loss to Argentina’s Agustin Tapia and Federico Chingotto helped spark Argentina’s recovery in the tie. Since then, their meetings as opponents on the Premier Padel circuit have been marked by evident tension and rivalry.
Spain has also considered other ways to arrange its lineup. Speaking recently to Mundo Deportivo, national team member Coki Nieto proposed separating Arturo Coello, Galan, and Lebron into different pairings, allowing the country’s leading players to be spread across all three points in a tie. Gutierrez, however, has shown before that he is prepared to use adaptable and unexpected tactical combinations, so attention now turns to when the celebrated former duo will be reunited.
Garrido and Gutierrez: Lyon performance, ranking and results
Together in 2026, Garrido and Gutierrez have a 0-1 win-loss record. Their most recent appearance came on the 23rd of September, when they lost 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the round of 16 to Axelsson (world no.116) and Guichard (world no.72).
