Real Madrid is logically considered one of the favorites to win the Club World Cup, but success will only be achieved through teamwork and harmony.
While individual brilliance will certainly play a role, it is team spirit and organized play that are the real keys to winning titles, as previous seasons have demonstrated.
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Xabi Alonso’s mission began in earnest with the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal at the Allianz Arena. From that match, Alonso identified a player who perfectly fits his technical requirements: Vitinha, the standout midfielder of Paris Saint-Germain.
According to the Basque coach’s vision, Vitinha possesses a complete set of attributes:
Strong defensive capabilities
Tactical flexibility to operate in multiple roles
Effective attacking contribution from wide areas
A sharp instinct for goal
He showcased all of these qualities in last Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final, where he played a crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic victory over Inter Milan—a match hailed as the most dominant in the tournament since its rebranding in the 1990s. Vitinha then delivered another masterclass in midfield as Portugal eliminated Germany on their home soil.
Real Madrid is currently searching for a player who can help fill the technical and leadership void left by the retirement of Toni Kroos and the imminent departure of Luka Modrić. According to Italian reports, the Croatian veteran is close to signing a one-year contract with AC Milan, with an option for extension.
This marks the first time in over a decade that neither Kroos nor Modrić will feature at the Santiago Bernabéu—a reality Xabi Alonso is keenly aware of and eager to address. In his view, there is no better candidate to lead the midfield into a new era than Vitinha: elegant, versatile, and tactically astute.
However, signing Vitinha currently appears to be a near-impossible task. The 25-year-old is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2029 and is considered a key component of Luis Enrique’s project. As such, the French club views him as “untouchable.”
Additionally, relations between Real Madrid and PSG remain strained—particularly following Kylian Mbappé’s recent transfer to Madrid. The manner in which the Spanish giants waited for his contract to expire angered PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Vitinha also does not perfectly align with Real Madrid’s current transfer strategy, which leans toward younger talents. This approach is evident in the signing of Franco Mastantuono and the pursuit of Abdallah Ouazane, the rising Moroccan star at Ajax.
Still, Alonso’s interest in Vitinha is genuine. The club will continue to closely monitor his performances in the coming weeks. If the right opportunity presents itself, Real Madrid will not hesitate to submit an official offer.
