Truth Behind the Locker Room: Why Xabi Alonso’s Honest Touch Wins Over Gridiron Gossip
23 December 2025
Character First
Granit Xhaka, now with Sunderland, says Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's coach, has genuine personality and was always truthful. He was never just playing to the room's optics.
From Leverkusen to Madrid
Xhaka starred in Leverkusen's domestic double in 2023-24 under Alonso’s guidance. This season, he joined Sunderland, while Alonso pursued a bigger challenge with Real Madrid.
DAZN plans a 70-minute documentary, 'The Engineer: From Legend to Challenge', to analyze Alonso's career and leadership style.
Highlights include Xhaka's remarks on Alonso's honesty: 'He didn't lack big-match experience, but what he had most was personality.' Marca quotes say when Alonso enters the dressing room, everyone listens; every word is sincere. He didn't chase names or price tags; he values what you do on the pitch and fights to earn opportunities.
Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga with 42 points, four behind Barca, amid talk that Alonso could face scrutiny if the team falters in the upcoming Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia in January.
More soon as the documentary unfolds, showing how Alonso's ethic translates to the dressing room and training ground.
Punchline 1: If honesty is a tactic, Alonso’s game plan would be a blueprint you can read with a magnifying glass.
Punchline 2: And if you think your team talks like a TED Talk, remember: Alonso's locker room talks could cure insomnia—but somehow the players wake up and act.
