Much has been said about Xabi Alonso and his short spell at Real Madrid so far.
Questions have surfaced around his influence, his authority, and his ability to manage a squad packed with elite personalities.
However, a report from AS paints a very different picture, one that firmly establishes Alonso as a strong and respected leader inside the dressing room.
According to those close to the situation, Alonso has never doubted his own authority.
On the contrary, people around him point to his calm control, his capacity to impose order, and his skill in handling egos at a decisive stage of the season.
With the Spanish Super Cup approaching and pressure mounting, Alonso is seen as a figure capable of guiding the team through a demanding period without losing balance or clarity.
Everyone trusts Alonso
This view is reinforced by several authoritative voices from the football world.
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool coach Rafa Benítez left no room for ambiguity when assessing Alonso’s leadership qualities.
Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Alonso has the backing of several Spaniards. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
“Xabi has the ability to manage the dressing room, no question about it.”
Former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano shares a similar view, highlighting what he describes as an “anti-ego tactic”.
Alonso, according to Valdano, understands the environment he is working in and the type of players he manages, a vital trait in a squad where almost everyone feels like a starter.
Comments from a few Spaniards
That sentiment is shared by Cesc Fabregas, who summed up the challenge perfectly, stating that managing a group of stars with international status and high market value “has to be the most difficult thing of all.”
Furthermore, Pepe Reina describes a leadership style that commanded respect “with just a couple of gestures.”
All of these perspectives converge in The Architect: From Myth to Challenge, a documentary directed by Ivan Fanlo.
The film contrasts Alonso, the legendary footballer, with Alonso the coach, a man trying to consolidate his project under immense pressure after spells at Real Sociedad B and Bayer Leverkusen.