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.

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 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.

García made 24 appearances for the senior Colombia national football team from 1988 to 1993,[2] including participating in the 1993 Copa América.