Alexis Arias Tuesta is a Peruvian professional footballer known for his long career with FBC Melgar, where he established himself as a dependable midfielder and helped the club win the Peruvian national championship in 2015. Born on December 13, 1995, in Bellavista, Callao, Arias has also represented Peru at the international level and competed in South America’s major club tournaments. After spending more than a decade with Melgar, he joined Comerciantes Unidos in 2026, beginning a new chapter in Peru’s Liga 1. His career includes domestic titles, international appearances and a memorable run to the Copa Sudamericana semifinals.
Who Is Alexis Arias?
Alexis Arias is a Peruvian footballer who plays primarily as a central midfielder. Known by his nickname, Chaka, he spent most of his professional career at FBC Melgar, a club based in Arequipa, Peru.
Arias made his professional debut in 2014 and became part of the Melgar squad that won the national championship the following year. He subsequently represented the club in domestic and continental competitions, including the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
In January 2026, he moved to Comerciantes Unidos, continuing his professional career in Peru’s top football division.
Alexis Arias Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alexis Arias Tuesta |
| Date of birth | December 13, 1995 |
| Age | 30 (September 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bellavista, Callao, Peru |
| Nationality | Peruvian |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Position | Central midfielder |
| Height | Approximately 1.63–1.65 m |
| Nickname | Chaka |
| Current club | Comerciantes Unidos |
| Former club | FBC Melgar |
| National team | Peru |
| Senior international appearances | 5 |
| Major achievement | Peruvian national champion, 2015 |
Early Life and Football Development
Alexis Arias was born in Bellavista, a district in the Constitutional Province of Callao, Peru. He developed his football skills through youth training before establishing himself in the country’s professional league.
His early football development included time in the youth systems of Sport Boys and Esther Grande de Bentín. He also spent part of his formative years with FC Twente in the Netherlands.
These experiences preceded his move to FBC Melgar, where he began his senior career in 2014 under coach Juan Reynoso.
Arias was still a teenager when he entered professional football. Within a year, he would be part of a championship-winning team, marking an important milestone in his development.
Professional Football Career
FBC Melgar: 2014–2025
FBC Melgar played a central role in Alexis Arias’s professional career. He joined the Arequipa-based club in 2014 and remained there until the end of 2025.
His debut season provided an introduction to professional football, but 2015 brought a much more significant achievement. Melgar won the Peruvian national championship, securing one of the major domestic honors in the club’s history.
Arias played 20 league matches during that championship-winning season, including 18 starts. His involvement at a young age helped establish him in Melgar’s first-team squad.
He continued to develop as a midfielder during the following seasons, making regular appearances as Melgar competed for domestic titles and qualified for international tournaments.
Domestic Success With Melgar
Arias was part of several successful Melgar squads during his time at the club.
His principal domestic achievements included the 2015 Peruvian national championship, the 2018 Torneo Clausura and the 2022 Torneo Apertura.
The latter two competitions are short tournaments within the Peruvian league structure. Winning them is a significant domestic achievement, although it is distinct from securing the overall national championship.
Melgar also finished as national runner-up in 2016 and 2022, giving Arias experience in several competitive title campaigns.
The 2022 Copa Sudamericana Campaign
One of the most memorable periods of Arias’s Melgar career came in 2022, when the club reached the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana.
The Copa Sudamericana is one of South America’s principal international club competitions, bringing together teams from across the continent.
Melgar’s semifinal appearance was an important achievement for the Arequipa club. The campaign gave Arias and his teammates the opportunity to compete at a high level beyond Peru’s domestic league.
Melgar’s progress also illustrated how the club’s established squad could compete against international opposition while maintaining its domestic commitments.
Transfer to Comerciantes Unidos in 2026
After more than a decade with Melgar, Arias joined Comerciantes Unidos in January 2026.
The transfer marked his departure from the club where he had spent virtually his entire senior career. At Comerciantes Unidos, he continued playing in Liga 1, taking on a midfield role with a different team.
By September 2026, his recorded league appearances for the season had reached 25, with one assist. His appearances included a 2–2 draw against Universitario on September 5, in which he played as a defensive midfielder.
The move allowed Arias to continue competing in Peru’s highest domestic division after his long association with Melgar.
Alexis Arias and the Peru National Team
Arias represented Peru at youth and senior international levels. In 2015, he was selected for Peru’s under-22 squad for the Pan American Games, an international multisport event involving countries from across the Americas.
His senior international debut came on March 26, 2019, in a friendly against El Salvador. Peru lost the match 2–0, but the appearance marked an important step in his career.
Arias was also part of Peru’s squad at the 2021 Copa América in Brazil. His senior international record stands at five appearances without a goal.
Although his international career has been considerably shorter than his club career, representing Peru added another dimension to his experience as a professional midfielder.
Playing Style and Position
Alexis Arias plays primarily in central midfield, although he has also been deployed in attacking and defensive midfield positions.
His different midfield assignments reflect the tactical flexibility required in modern football. A central midfielder connects defensive and attacking phases, while a defensive midfielder operates closer to the back line, helping protect the defense and organize possession.
Arias’s long career in these positions has included appearances in both domestic league matches and international club competitions.
His scoring record also reflects his primary role as a midfielder rather than a specialist forward. During his time at Melgar, his responsibilities extended beyond scoring goals to participating in the team’s midfield play.
Alexis Arias Career Timeline
| Year | Career milestone |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Made his professional debut with FBC Melgar |
| 2015 | Won the Peruvian national championship |
| 2015 | Represented Peru’s under-22 national team |
| 2018 | Won the Torneo Clausura with Melgar |
| 2019 | Made his senior international debut for Peru |
| 2021 | Participated in the Copa América |
| 2022 | Won the Torneo Apertura and reached the Copa Sudamericana semifinals |
| 2025 | Completed his final season with Melgar |
| 2026 | Joined Comerciantes Unidos |
Career Statistics and Achievements
Arias accumulated hundreds of competitive appearances during his 12 seasons with Melgar. His extensive involvement in the club’s domestic campaigns made him one of its longstanding first-team players.
His major honors include the 2015 Peruvian national championship, the 2018 Torneo Clausura and the 2022 Torneo Apertura. He also participated in the 2022 Copa Sudamericana semifinal campaign.
As of September 2026, his 2026 league record with Comerciantes Unidos includes 25 appearances, no goals and one assist. Career statistics can vary slightly between databases depending on which competitions and match categories they include.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexis Arias
1. How old is Alexis Arias?
Alexis Arias was born on December 13, 1995. He is 30 years old as of September 2026 and will turn 31 in December.
2. Which club does Alexis Arias play for?
He plays for Comerciantes Unidos in Peru’s Liga 1. He joined the club in January 2026 after spending more than a decade with FBC Melgar.
3. Has Alexis Arias played for the Peru national team?
Yes. Arias has made five senior international appearances for Peru. He made his senior debut against El Salvador in March 2019 and was part of the country’s 2021 Copa América squad.
4. What position does Alexis Arias play?
His primary position is central midfield. He has also played in defensive and attacking midfield roles during his professional career.
5. What trophies has Alexis Arias won?
His major domestic achievements include the 2015 Peruvian national championship, the 2018 Torneo Clausura and the 2022 Torneo Apertura, all with FBC Melgar.
6. Is Alexis Arias the same person as the Cuban Olympic rower?
No. Alexis Arias Tuesta is a Peruvian footballer born in 1995. Alexis Arias Mestre is a Cuban rower born in 1969 who competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. They are different athletes who share the same first and last names.
Conclusion
Alexis Arias has built his professional football career around a lengthy spell with FBC Melgar, where he won domestic honors and participated in major South American competitions. His five senior appearances for Peru and his involvement in the 2022 Copa Sudamericana semifinal campaign are additional milestones. Following his move to Comerciantes Unidos in 2026, he continues his career as an experienced midfielder in Peru’s Liga 1.
