Xabi Alonso: Jealous of the Players, Yet Steadfast on Real Madrid’s DNA

Alonso’s Reflection on Madrid’s Core Values

During the 2025/26 academic year opening at Real Madrid’s City Hall for Higher Studies, Xabi Alonso spoke about his career as both player and coach, highlighting the paths that led him to this moment.

He emphasized that he still clings to Real Madrid’s values in public life, just as he did as a player, underscoring a deep loyalty to the club’s ethos.

Alonso added that honoring the club’s history and the way Real Madrid builds a culture of excellence, generosity, and hard work is essential at every level, not just on match day.

The stadium may be the most visible symbol, but he argued that many factors reveal what makes the club successful beyond the stands.

Everything must be interconnected and united—an intangible core that, in his view, defines the club’s hidden strength and sets a standard for all departments.

He stressed that leadership at Real Madrid requires not taking half measures; the journey demands full commitment and a shared understanding of the mission.

On his transition to coaching, he said his early love for football made the switch natural, and that pursuing the craft demands preparation and a willingness to pay the price of progress.

He noted the discipline and work ethic he inherited from a footballing family, explaining how those values helped him stay grounded and focused on what matters most.

When reflecting on becoming a coach, Alonso spoke of curiosity about the game as the primary driver, while admitting that playing remains a beloved aspect of his professional life.

He confessed a healthy friend envy of players, wondering why certain moments happen, a curiosity that fuels his ongoing quest to understand the sport from all angles.

He outlined a gradual path to leadership, beginning with Real Madrid Castilla to learn step by step before arriving at the first team and the responsibilities that come with it.

During his university years in Liverpool at age 22, he listened more than he spoke and embraced every experience, which helped him stay steady and earn the respect of others in his circle.

That chapter, he said, broadened his worldview and reinforced the importance of courage and personal growth in pursuit of long-term goals.

Alonso noted that his appointment to Real Madrid came at a crucial moment, guiding the club into competitions like the Club World Cup as leadership transitions evolved after the end of the previous era with Carlo Ancelotti.

The Perez Rumors and the Club’s Future

A Spanish report recently explored rumors about Florentino Perez stepping down in the near future, stirring talk about the club’s leadership trajectory.

Journalist Alberto Perez stated on a social platform that Florentino Perez does not intend to leave before the end of his current term, and that any major decision would be addressed in the club’s forthcoming assemblies.

Another well-known Spanish insider claimed Perez could depart next year, despite his formal mandate running through 2028, with hopes of a smooth succession and stable transition for the club’s leadership structure.

The discussions come at a delicate time for Real Madrid, amid strategic shifts in the project and infrastructure, including the ongoing Santiago Bernabeu redevelopment, which has become a hallmark of Perez’s second stint at the club.

As of now, there has been no official comment from the club confirming or denying the rumors, though prior statements about Madrid’s future and the broader plan for “Madrid tomorrow” continue to fuel cautious speculation about leadership changes.

The developments arrive as the club navigates both organizational and sporting challenges, underscoring the delicate balance between tradition, ambition, and the demands of modernization in one of football’s most storied institutions.

Madrid’s leadership narrative remains a moving target, with fans and analysts watching closely how any transition would maintain stability while pursuing ongoing growth and success.

In short, Alonso remains a steadfast custodian of Madrid’s values, while the club charts a future that blends heritage with a bold plan for the years ahead. And yes, the locker room still has its jokes—as any good team would say, you don’t need a trophy to win at life, but it helps the arguments in the group chat.