Xabi Alonso Warns Real Madrid Players
The Spanish coach has made it clear to his squad that effort will be non-negotiable during the Club World Cup in Miami.
Real Madrid Lands in Miami With a Clear Message
Real Madrid is already in Miami, where they will make their debut in the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday, June 18, against Al-Hilal. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, the team held their first training session on American soil, and according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, the coach wasted no time laying down the law.
Journalist Javier Herráez revealed that Alonso told his players: “If you don’t run and don’t put in the effort, you’re not going to play—no matter who you are. If you skip a sprint, that’s a yellow card. Do it again, and you’re out. With Xabi Alonso, there’s no room for slacking. You can’t avoid running unless you want to be benched.”
Effort Above All for Xabi Alonso
The message from Alonso is loud and clear: pressing and intensity are non-negotiable. “You’re not going to get away with just waiting around for someone to pass you the ball so you can shoot. You have to fight for every ball,” added Herráez, citing internal sources from Real Madrid.
For the upcoming match against Al-Hilal, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are expected to be in the starting lineup, showing that Alonso is ready to rely on players who buy into his philosophy from the start.
As Real Madrid aims to lift yet another international trophy, the Spanish coach is making sure his team understands that talent alone won’t be enough. In Xabi Alonso’s system, only those willing to give their all will see minutes on the pitch.
