The future looks promising for Real Madrid—a fact well understood by new head coach Xabi Alonso. He began his duties with the club this week, fully focused on the upcoming Club World Cup.
At this stage, Real Madrid does not plan to make any major changes to the squad for the tournament, aside from the addition of a few new faces such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. This reflects a project that is progressing steadily without disrupting the team’s overall balance.
Amid these preparations, Luka Modrić will remain part of the squad, as this tournament is likely to be his final appearance in a Real Madrid shirt.
While the coaching staff remains focused on the immediate challenge, the club’s leadership—headed by Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez—is working behind the scenes with a long-term vision. Modrić’s expected departure marks a significant loss both technically and in terms of leadership, requiring a carefully thought-out replacement strategy.
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In this context, several names have been linked with Real Madrid as potential midfield reinforcements, including Martín Zubimendi, Angelo Stiller, Florian Wirtz, and Tijjani Reijnders. However, Vitinha has emerged as the most unanimously favored candidate within the club’s Valdebebas headquarters.
The Portuguese midfielder enjoys broad internal support, and he has even received personal backing from Luka Modrić himself. During a recent conversation with President Florentino Pérez about the future of the team, Modrić reportedly said: “He’s the best possible signing for the midfield, President.”
Despite this strong interest, a key challenge remains: the strained relationship between Vitinha and Paris Saint-Germain, especially in the wake of Kylian Mbappé’s departure and the subsequent internal shifts at the club.
Moreover, Vitinha is considered a central figure in Luis Enrique’s tactical plans, and the Spanish coach does not appear willing to let him go at this time. This makes negotiations even more complex—despite Real Madrid’s firm belief that the Portuguese star could be the ideal centerpiece for the post-Modrić era.
