Not Fair, Not Final: Alonso Refuses Real Madrid Exit
A new report from The Athletic presents a different take on Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid, suggesting he did not agree with the decision. Alonso was reportedly analyzing the loss to Barcelona with his staff when he was abruptly summoned to a training-ground meeting and told of his dismissal. This narrative challenges earlier claims, including those from AS, which said Alonso requested to leave and resigned. The piece adds that the club’s crisis ran deeper than the Clasico, centered on locker-room tensions. Real Madrid then moved to install Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach to restore discipline after a painful 2-3 final against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.