Madrid, Spain – History has come alive at the Santiago Bernabéu as Real Madrid officially appointed club legend Xabi Alonso as the new head coach, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. With a combination of shrewd signings and grueling training, Alonso's appointment heralds the dawn of a new era, with all eyes now turning to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Xabi Alonso: The New Tactical Mastermind at the Helm
Alonso, who signed a three-year deal in May, possesses the tactical nous which transformed Bayer Leverkusen into Bundesliga winners in Germany. His return to Madrid, although as the manager this time around, has already injected life into both the players as well as the fans.
"I want to restore the spirit of Madridismo – courage, precision, and mastery," Alonso said to us at his unveiling in Valdebebas. His strategy is built around progressive pressing, creative midfield building, and youth integration.
Transfer Window: New Faces for a New Way
Real Madrid haven't wasted time remodeling their team to Alonso's specifications. The club has made a string of significant signings:
Franco Mastantuono (Midfield, from River Plate): Argentina's young prodigy is lined up to become Madrid's new engine room star.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Right-back, from Liverpool): For his threat down the flank, his arrival adds depth and flair from midfield.
Dean Huijsen (Centre-back): Towering young keeper adds depth and assurance to defence.
Joan Martínez (Promoted from Castilla): Young defensive player who is getting early exposure in training.
These signing is strategic step towards flexibility , with Alonso need's to develop both good stars and youth's.
The FIFA Club World Cup, now 32-team, commences this week, with Real Madrid's clash against Al Hilal on June 18 their opening competitive match under Alonso.
Madrid prepared early this month in Miami with an intense training camp. With 34 players in camp, including headline names like Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, Alonso is using the tournament to not only win trophies, but to also work on his tactical plans.
"Better than anything to prepare for the season is by competing for a trophy," said midfielder Fede Valverde. "You can already see Xabi's influence on training."
There also appear to be some defensive issues, with Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and David Alaba still being managed carefully with restricted workload. Alonso has rotated with younger options in their absence, experimenting with both three and four-man defenses on the training pitch.
Real Madrid's match with Al Hilal will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. If they progress, they will face more challenging opponents later in the rounds, including potential wars with Manchester City or Fluminense.
This Club World Cup season is as much about building Alonso's Madrid as it is adding another trophy to their shelf.
Real Madrid Next Match – Club World Cup 2025
June 18, 2025
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Al Hilal (KSA)
Kickoff: 20:00 EST
