How Real Madrid could line up at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso
The dust has barely settled on the domestic season in Spain, yet Real Madrid have already made a series of major moves to improve their chances of glory across multiple competitions next term.
Centre-back Dean Huijsen has been signed from Bournemouth for £50 million and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-agent switch from Liverpool was confirmed last week.
The most impactful new additional of all, though, could be the one the 15-time champions of Europe have made on the sideline. Xabi Alonso, a two-time Champions League winner at the Bernabeu as a player, has been appointed to replace Carlo Ancelotti as coach.
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The former Spain playmaker has earned rave reviews for his work with Bayer Leverkusen over the past three seasons, headlined by an undefeated march to a Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double in 2023-24, developing talented youngsters into stars a dynamic utilising a 3-4-3 system.
Here’s how Madrid could line up at the 2025 FIFA World Club Cup with Alonso at the helm.
GK – Thibaut Courtois
Now fully recovered from a torn ACL that kept him out for the majority of the previous campaign, Courtois is back to his best.
The towering 33-year-old Belgian remains one of the top goalkeepers on the planet, so there is no reason to believe Alonso would look to field anyone else between the sticks.
RCB – Raul Asencio
Injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba presented academy graduate Raul Asencio with the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular spot in Los Blancos’ line-up this season, and he did not disappoint.
The 22-year-old from the Canary Islands proved a reliable presence in his 18 La Liga starts.
CB – Dean Huijsen
The first big-money move of what will likely be another expensive summer for Madrid, Bournemouth have agreed to allow Huijsen to join the Spanish side early in order to play at the Club World Cup.
Still just 20 years old, the Netherlands-born Spain international was outstanding in the Premier League this season, showcasing the kind of athleticism, power and technical skill desired in top modern-day central defenders.
LCB – Antonio Rudiger
A Bosman signing from Chelsea in 2022, Rudiger has been one of Madrid’s best-value additions of recent years.
The imposing 32-year-old German centre-back will be a key figure in what will otherwise be a very youthful and relatively inexperienced backline.
RWB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
The England international’s move to Los Blancos is was made official last week when it was announced that the Spanish side will pay €10m to Liverpool in order to secure his services for the Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold would be a perfect fit for the right wing-back role in Alonso’s 3-4-3, giving him greater attacking freedom to showcase his superlative technique and creativity while easing his defensive workload.
CM – Federico Valverde
One of the unsung heroes of Madrid recent success, Federico Valverde has emerged as one of the most versatile and well-rounded midfielders in the world since becoming a first-team regular at the Bernabeu in 2018.
The indefatigable 26-year-old Uruguayan will provide crucial energy and discipline in the middle third to help Alonso realise his vision in the Spanish capital.
CM – Jude Bellingham
One of the most intriguing aspects of Alonso’s arrival is the matter of where Jude Bellingham fits into the former Leverkusen tactician’s 3-4-3 system.
While the English superstar could be unleashed higher up the pitch as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the central striker, emphasising his scoring instincts and timing in the penalty area, his combativeness and quality on the ball suit a central midfield role, too.
LWB – Fran Garcia
A product of Madrid’s academy, Fran Garcia was sold to Real Valladolid in 2021 only for Los Blancos to activate a buyback clause in the deal two years later to bring him back to the Bernabeu.
Since then, the 25-year-old left-back has racked up 79 first-team appearances and become a senior international for Spain.
With Ferland Mendy battling injuries this season and yet to start a game since March, Garcia could be Alonso’s go-to at left wing-back.
RAM – Rodrygo
Strongly linked with an exit this summer amid reported interest from Arsenal, Rodrygo could be playing for his Real Madrid future at the Club World Cup.
The 23-year-old Brazilian arrived from Santos in 2019 for €45 million. And while he has accumulated more than 260 appearances and been a part of two Champions League triumphs and three La Liga titles, he has not quite reached the performance heights of his compatriot Vinicius Junior.
But with his workrate, creativity and versatility, Rodygo’s skillset aligns perfectly with the right inside-forward spot in Alonso’s 3-4-3.
LAM – Vinicius Junior
After a stellar 2023-24 campaign that saw him take centre stage as Madrid claimed a 15th European crown, Vinicius’ output has regressed somewhat this term, with 21 goals from 52 games, down from 24 strikes in 39 outings the year before.
The Brazilian superstar has been forced to play second fiddle to Kylian Mbappe in the Madrid attack this term, but he remains one of the most dynamic, skilful and unpredictable forwards in the world when at his best.
ST – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe’s move to Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent was the biggest transfer of last summer. And the French megastar has justified the hype in his first season in the famous all-white.
With a staggering 31 goals from 34 La Liga appearances, he secured the European Golden Shoe award for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old will be one of the key attractions at the World Club Cup.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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