Xabi Alonso set to confront Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after recent loss
Real Madrid’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, faces his first major challenge after a crushing 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain knocked them out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
The loss has reportedly sparked urgent talks with star forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, as Alonso demands improvements in their work rate and team ethic.
The Spanish giants endured a trophyless 2024-25 season, which led to Carlo Ancelotti’s departure and Alonso’s appointment. However, the former Madrid midfielder now grapples with managing two of football’s biggest talents, whose reluctance to track back has raised concerns.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Alonso plans to hold direct discussions with Vinicius and Mbappe to address their defensive shortcomings.
The Brazilian, described as “far removed from his former self,” has struggled since his 2024 Ballon d’Or candidacy, with Alonso keen to understand “what’s going on in his head.” The manager has urged Vinicius to “come clean” about his mindset, seeking clarity on his dip in form.
For Mbappe, who scored just one goal in the tournament, the issue lies beyond his finishing. Marca reported that Alonso is troubled by the French star’s lack of defensive effort, noting that “the leniency shown when defending was worrying.” The report added that “ego dominates” in tense moments, particularly when the scoreline turns against Madrid.
Despite the setback, Alonso has the full backing of the club’s leadership to enforce discipline, a rare move for a Madrid manager. “The club have given Xabi Alonso their support for his decision-making,” Marca stated, signaling trust in his approach.
Reflecting on the PSG defeat, Alonso remained defiant. “This was the last game of 2024-25, not the first of 2025-26,” he said. “We haven’t talked much about the squad during the World Cup, but now we’re open to making improvements.
"Our new era is just beginning. Today hurts, but this competition has shown me what we are and what we must improve. We leave here a better team, even if it’s hard to say now.”
Alonso’s vision for a “compact” and “dynamic” team was echoed by Vinicius in a recent X post, where he noted, “Pressing the defenders is key. Xabi Alonso has been telling us what to do day by day. The team are playing more compact.”
The manager also emphasized collective strength over individual brilliance, stating, “The first idea is to have a real team. Once we have that, individual quality will flow easily.”
With the 2025-26 season looming, Alonso sees the Club World Cup as a learning curve. “It can be a starting point for us, a way of beginning next season better,” he said. “We’ll start from zero in August, not from the 95th minute of today.”
As Madrid reset, Alonso’s ability to harness his star players’ talents while instilling discipline will define their pursuit of silverware.
