Along with seven more siblings, he grew up in barrio La Floresta of Medellín where he started his career playing for the Antioquia Football Selection. In 1980, he joined Once Caldas of Manizales and the same year he was called to play for the Colombia Olympic football team for the Moscow Olympic Games. In 1987, he joined Atlético Nacional of Medellín where he remained until his retirement in 1998. Known as "The Great Captain", Alexis Garcia was considered one of the Colombia's best midfielders and a crowd's favorite in a time when the Colombian football was starting to shine at the international level. In 1989 Garcia led Atlético Nacional to become Copa Libertadores champions. In 1988 Garcia debuted with the senior Colombia national football team against Canada, a game that the Colombians won 3–0. Because of misunderstandings with national team coach Francisco Maturana Alexis Garcia missed the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. His last game for the Colombia national team was in August 1993 against Paraguay. Garcia played a total of 25 games for Colombia and scored a total of 2 goals.