Xabi Alonso’s first test as Real Madrid’s new boss unfolded at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he led his team to statement victories and one embarassing defeat.
After finding historic success at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso bid farewell to the German outfit at the end of the 2024–25 season to manage his former club. The Spaniard had less than two weeks with Real Madrid before he took his new team to the United States to compete in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Under Alonso’s leadership, Los Blancos went on an unbeaten run to the semifinals, collecting four victories in five matches. They then crashed out of the competition at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain with a trip to the final on the line.
Although Real Madrid’s tournament ended in disappointment, there were plenty of takeaways, both positive and negative, for the Spanish giants and their new manager.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Alonso’s first six matches in charge of the biggest team in the world.
