And according to former Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea star Fabregas, Alonso is struggling due to having such a star-studded Real dressing room.
In quotes carried by Spanish publication Marca, the 38-year-old - who played alongside Alonso in Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph as well as successive European Championships in 2008 and 2012 - said in a recent documentary reviewing Alonso’s career: "They're all very good (Real’s players). They all deserve to play. They all think they have to play. They all have to make a difference. They all cost 50 million euros. They all play for their national teams. Handling this, surely, has to be the most difficult thing of all."
Agreeing with Fabregas, former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina said in the same documentary: "It’s not easy, especially in a locker room like this. But Xabi has no problem looking you in the eye and telling you things as they are.”
Meanwhile, former Real head coach Rafa Benitez - who managed Alonso when he played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 - added, "I believe Xabi Alonso has the ability to manage the dressing room, no question about it."