Before his sudden and controversial dismissal, Xabi Alonso offered Florentino Pérez crucial advice regarding one of Real Madrid’s players, pointing out that the player was no longer able to play regularly due to his age and high salary, which made him the second-highest-paid player on the team after Kylian Mbappé.
Alaba: Between Decline and Missed Opportunities
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Over the past few seasons, David Alaba has failed to establish himself as a regular starter. This season, he was the last defender relied upon in the defensive rotation, forced to play extra minutes due to injuries, but he failed to capitalize on the opportunities to prove his worth.
Even the Basque coach’s interventions did not change the situation, as the player displayed clear weaknesses in recent matches, such as the game against Benfica, making his presence on the field more of a concern than a solution for the team.
The Board Ignored Xabi Alonso’s Recommendations
Alonso asked Real Madrid’s management to sell Alaba or find a replacement in January, but the club decided to keep him until the summer. This decision proved to be a mistake after the Austrian star’s disappointing performances.
Alaba’s Future Outside the Bernabéu
With Alaba’s contract expiring on June 30, his days at Real Madrid are likely numbered, amid strong expectations that his next destination will be Saudi Arabia, where some European stars are heading toward the end of their careers to continue their professional journey.
Real Madrid faces a clear challenge next summer to restructure its defense, as Alaba has become virtually out of favor with the team, making a move away from the Bernabéu expected.
