Xabi Alonso‘s departure from Real Madrid caught the players by surprise, as they found out from the club’s official statement. Kylian Mbappe was the first to react and say goodbye to the coach publicly. “It was brief, but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you. Thank you for trusting me from day one,” the Frenchman wrote on Instagram. “I will remember you as a coach with clear ideas and who knows a lot about football. Good luck in your new stage.”
The messages from the Real Madrid players, who showed their affection for the coach, came in throughout the afternoon. By the end of the day, at midnight, of those who are now part of the team, Vinicius, Militao, Trent, Mendy, Bellingham, Brahim (who has the handicap of being 100 percent focused on the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco) and Mastantuono were the only ones who had not yet publicly said goodbye to Xabi. Endrick had not either, but the Brazilian, on loan at Lyon, was no longer under the coach’s orders.
It was short, but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you
Shortly after Mbappe, it was Arda Guler who left a message for the coach. “Mr. Xabi Alonso, thank you for believing and trusting in me from day one. Every conversation, every detail, every demand helped me to shape my game and reach a higher level,” he began.
Every conversation, every detail, every demand helped me to shape my game and reach a higher level
“I am deeply grateful for everything you have contributed to my career. Your trust in me has made me a better player. I wish you and your team much success in whatever comes next. Your influence will always remain with me,” the Turk concluded in his Instagram post.
The reactions of the Real Madrid players came in thick and fast. The next was Tchouameni: “Thank you for everything. It has been a pleasure to learn from one of the best. I wish you all the best on your journey.”
And then came Huijsen’s farewell. “Thank you mister for everything we have experienced, I wish you all the best for the future,” wrote the centre-back.
With your ambition, your desire and your way of seeing football, only great things await you
Ceballos’ ‘hug’
Dani Ceballos joined his teammates afterwards: “Thank you very much for everything, coach. With your ambition, your desire and your way of seeing football, only great things await you. I wish you the best”. A text that he accompanied with a photograph (this one we show) hugging the coach.
“Thank you for everything, coach. You are a great coach and you are going to achieve many successes. Good luck,” Lunin posted on Instagram.
In similar terms, Courtois expressed himself on his social networks. “Thank you for everything. It has been a pleasure to work with you and I wish you well in the future, you deserve it”.
“Coach, thank you for every day shared, for the trust, the learning and the moments lived. I wish you much success in the road ahead. May your career continue to grow. All the best always, Xabi Alonso,” Rodrygo wrote.
“Thank you for everything, mister. People like you deserve the best always,” Asencio told him. Fede Valverde, meanwhile, left this message: “Mister, I wish you the best to you and all the coaching staff that has always had a great attitude. Success in everything that comes.” And Fran Garcia posted:“Thank you very much for everything, mister. I wish you all the best to you and all your coaching staff”.
Carvajal, very brief
Rüdiger also joined in the farewell to Xabi Alonso: “Thank you for everything. It has been a pleasure and I wish you all the best for the future”. Alvaro Carreraswrote practically the same thing: “Thank you for everything, coach. I wish you all the best for the future”. And Carvajal, the captain, was brief: “Thank you for everything, mister”.
Gonzalo, meanwhile, was very grateful to Xabi Alonso. “Coach, thank you very much for everything: the learning, the confidence from day one and, above all, the opportunity you have given me. I wish you all the best always.”
Camavinga’s message was also affectionate: “Thank you, coach, for your work, your passion and for everything you have brought to the team. I have learned a lot from you and will always have great respect for you. I wish you all the best for the future. Respect.”
AndAlaba expressed himself in the following terms. “Mister, I will always be grateful for the time we worked together. I wish you all the best.” In the end, almost all the players in the squad left a nice public farewell to Xabi Alonso.
Read the full article here
