Ex-Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has confessed that he can't bring himself to wish Xabi Alonso well as he gears up to take the helm at Real Madrid. The Spanish maestro was recently announced as the successor to Carlo Ancelotti at the La Liga giants.
This appointment puts an end to long-standing rumors about Alonso's potential departure from Bayer Leverkusen for Madrid, and marks a return to the club where he played from 2009 to 2014.
Mascherano, who shared the pitch with Alonso at Liverpool, has now shared his views on the appointment. Despite expecting Alonso to excel at the Bernabeu, he refrained from wishing him luck due to his deep-rooted connections with Barcelona – a club where Mascherano spent eight successful years and claimed five La Liga titles among numerous other accolades.
Speaking to Marca, Mascherano commented: "I haven't spoken to him. He was one of the best players I played with throughout my career. I don't wish him the best because he's at Real Madrid, but I'm sure he'll be a great coach for the club.
"He did an excellent job at Bayer Leverkusen. He's a great person, and I had the privilege of playing alongside him for three years."
Javier Mascherano
Javier Mascherano is now head coach of Inter Miami (Image: Getty Images)
While Mascherano may have held back on extending his best wishes to Alonso for his new role in Madrid, he took a different stance regarding Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono, who is on the brink of sealing a high-profile transfer to the Bernabeu from River Plate.
"I had the opportunity to coach him with the Argentina U20 national team," Mascherano revealed. "He's a player with many qualities, and it's rare that, at such a young age, someone possesses the maturity and mentality he demonstrates.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"He comes from one of the biggest clubs in the Americas, River Plate, but when Real Madrid or FC Barcelona show interest, it's very difficult to turn down an offer like that. I wish him the best in this new phase."
Alonso, alongside Mastantuono, is certainly aiming for a successful inaugural season at the Bernabeu. Real just missed out on the La Liga title last season, finishing four points adrift of Barcelona.
They also faced disappointment in the Copa del Rey final and managed only a quarter-final showing in the Champions League. Now, as Alonso gears up for his maiden trophy challenge as boss of Real Madrid, the storied club heads into the Club World Cup in the USA.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.