Padel has a lot of names, and for a new fan the list can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you can follow the men's game by learning a handful of pairs. A few players dominate the Premier Padel tour, and knowing who they are, which side of the court they play, and what makes each of them special turns a random match into a story. This guide introduces the men's padel stars every new fan should know, based on how the 2026 season looks in mid-October. Results change quickly, so treat the numbers as a snapshot.
Note
Everything here reflects the Premier Padel season as of 18 October 2026. The final events of the year, including the Premier Padel Finals in December, were still to come, so check the official site for the latest results and rankings.
Start With Pairs, Not Individuals
Padel is played in doubles, and the best players build their careers around partnerships. That's why top pairs get nicknames and rivalries, not just individuals. One more thing is worth knowing: the right-side player is often called the drive player, and the left-side player is often called the backhand (revés) player. Most stars stay on one side for years, so you'll quickly learn who plays where.
The Golden Boys: Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello
The pair known as the "Golden Boys" has set the standard in recent seasons. They were the world's number one pair in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and in 2026 they lead the season with 12 titles so far.
Agustín Tapia
Born on 24 July 1999 in Catamarca, Argentina, Tapia plays on the left side and is nicknamed "El Mozart de Catamarca" for his creative, elegant game. He turned professional in 2018 and has partnered legends such as Juan Martín Díaz and Fernando Belasteguín. He joined forces with Coello in 2023 and has been his partner ever since.
Arturo Coello
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Coello was born in 2002 in the province of Valladolid, Spain, and is nicknamed "El Rey Arturo." He's a tall player, around 1.90 meters, who plays on the right side and dominates at the net. In 2023 he became the youngest player in history to reach world number one, at 21 years old. He also loves playing at home: in 2026 he won the Valladolid P2 for the third year in a row.
The Rivals: Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto
If Tapia and Coello are the benchmark, Galán and Chingotto are the pair chasing them. Spanish media call them "Chingalán," and they've been the main challengers since they teamed up in early 2024. In 2026 they've won seven titles.
Alejandro Galán
Born on 15 May 1996 in Madrid, Galán plays on the left side and goes by nicknames like "Galántico," "El Alien," and "El Monstruo de Leganés." He turned professional in 2014 and was world number one in 2020, 2021, and 2022, mostly alongside Juan Lebrón.
Federico Chingotto
Born on 13 April 1997 in Olavarría, Argentina, Chingotto plays on the right side. His nickname, "El Ratón" (The Mouse), comes from his quick movement around the court. He's known for outstanding defense and speed, a counterpoint to the power of Coello and Galán.
The 2026 Rivalry in Numbers
Tapia/Coello and Galán/Chingotto met in a lot of 2026 finals. By our count from the season's results through the Paris Major, the Golden Boys won seven of their eleven finals against Chingalán, including the Italy Major and the Paris Major, while Chingalán won the other four, in Gijón, Miami, Asunción, and Buenos Aires.
| Pair | 2026 Titles (to 18 Oct) | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Tapia / Coello | 12 | Riyadh P1, Italy Major, Paris Major, London P1, Milan P1 |
| Galán / Chingotto | 7 | Gijón P2, Miami P1, Buenos Aires P1, Madrid P1 |
| Lebrón / Augsburger | 1 | Brussels P2, plus several finals |
More Names to Follow
Beyond the top two pairs, a few players are well worth watching this season.
- Juan Lebrón. The first Spanish-born world number one, nicknamed "El Lobo," now paired with Leandro Augsburger. See our profile of Juan Lebrón for the full story.
- Leandro Augsburger. An Argentine known for his power on overheads. He and Martín Di Nenno won the Madrid P1 in 2025, beating all of the top three pairs on the way.
- Franco Stupaczuk. An Argentine veteran who, with Jon Sanz, reached the finals in Rotterdam and Germany in October 2026.
- Francisco Guerrero and Javier Leal. A pair who reached the Pretoria P1 final in 2026.
- Coki Nieto and Mike Yanguas. They reached the Madrid P1 final in 2026, and are among the players who can trouble the top pairs.
The 2026 Season at a Glance
The 2026 Premier Padel season runs from February to December, with Major, P1, and P2 events and a season-ending Premier Padel Finals. It has been a year of streaks. Tapia and Coello won five titles in a row in June and July, then four in a row from the Paris Major to the Milan P1 in September and October, and the Paris Major drew a record crowd of around 81,000 spectators over the week. Galán and Chingotto, meanwhile, kept pace with big wins in Madrid and Pretoria, so the fight for the top of the standings is likely to go down to the final events.
Why These Players Stand Out
What separates the stars isn't only power. They make fewer mistakes under pressure, move together as a pair, and know when to defend and when to attack. Tapia and Coello pair a creative backhand-side player with a dominant net player. Galán and Chingotto pair tactical control with speed and defense. Watching how each pair builds a point, and how they move after every shot, is one of the fastest ways to improve your own game.
Quick Reference
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| Player | Country | Side | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agustín Tapia | Argentina | Left (revés) | El Mozart de Catamarca |
| Arturo Coello | Spain | Right (drive) | El Rey Arturo |
| Alejandro Galán | Spain | Left (revés) | Galántico, El Alien |
| Federico Chingotto | Argentina | Right (drive) | El Ratón |
Important
Partnerships change often. Players split, reunite, and move to new partners between seasons, so a name you learn today may be on a different pair next year. Check the latest line-ups before you follow a specific duo.
How to Follow Them
The easiest way to get to know these players is to watch them. Our guide to following professional padel explains where Premier Padel is streamed, how to check schedules and scores, and what to look for when you watch. Start with a final between the top two pairs, since it shows the sport's highest level.
What to Watch for in Each Player
- Tapia: creativity and touch, especially how he builds points and uses the wall.
- Coello: net dominance, overheads, and the way he finishes points.
- Galán: tactical control and match management, including how he changes pace.
- Chingotto: defense, speed, and how he turns a lost ball into a rally.
Advice
Pick one pair and follow them through a whole tournament. After a few matches you'll know their patterns, and the sport will start to make more sense.
The men's padel stars every new fan should know come down to two big pairs, Tapia and Coello and Galán and Chingotto, plus a handful of names like Lebrón and Augsburger who can beat anyone on a good day. Learn their sides, their nicknames, and their rivalry, and you'll be ready to enjoy the rest of the season, and every season after it.
