Rodrygo Goes Archives - A Trip to Cibeles

Xabi Alonso turned Real Madrid’s biggest crisis into a potential strength

17Jun

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Real Madrid News

Xabi Alonso turned Real Madrid’s biggest crisis into a potential strength

Ever since his announcement as the next Real Madrid manager, there has been an immense amount of optimism from the fanbase towards the new Xabi Alonso era at the club. Although Alonso is taking over for a manager who brought three Champions League titles to Real Madrid, including the historic Decima and the club's first title win after losing Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, there's a pervasive sense that the Spanish international is an upgrade over Don Carlo. Alonso brought Bayer Leverkusen to the pinnacle of German football, posting an undefeated 2023/24 season while coaching some of the biggest breakouts in European football, such as left back Alex Grimaldo and midfielder Exequiel Palacios. And now, even before coaching a single game for Real Madrid, there's a strong belief among...

Xabi Alonso is already snubbing Rodrygo Goes

No star player on Real Madrid has been mired in more transfer rumor and innuendo than star forward Rodrygo Goes, who, quite frankly, is no longer at star status at Real Madrid. With the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, there was a narrative at the beginning of the season that left Rodrygo out of the spotlight, and teammates like Jude Bellingham were quick to point out to the media that the two-time Champions League winner was very much a vital part of the team. But Rodrygo ended up being the odd one out with Mbappe starring, as the Brazilian international slumped to a flat-out unacceptable six goals and five assists in 22 starts and 30 total appearances as a Real Madrid starter. Immediately before the season ended, there were already transfer rumors about Rodrygo, and there were even rep...

Five Real Madrid players with the most to prove in 2025

Real Madrid are within striking distance of the top spot in LaLiga, except, now, they are one point behind crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid and ahead of Barcelona, following Atleti's last-gasp 2-1 win over the Blaugrana last weekend. Although it hasn't been the strongest start to the season for Real Madrid in either LaLiga or the Champions League, you have to consider the reigning champions the favorites to repeat if they can bolster their defense in the January transfer window and continue to get better performances from marquee summer signing Kylian Mbappe. But Real Madrid can't just bank on winter additions to save their defense. In addition to Mbappe, here are five Madrid players who have something to prove as we head into the new year and the business end of the 2024/25 season. ...