Real Madrid News
The Xabi Alonso magic: Real Madrid enjoy their best start to the season after 64 years
Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Real Madrid manager has reached a historic milestone. Following the team’s victory against Valencia on Saturday, the club has now played 14 official matches in the 2025-26 season. The team’s incredible record stands at 13 wins and just one defeat.
This achievement isn’t just a good start; it is statistically the best start to a season Real Madrid has seen in 64 years, and the second-best in the club’s entire 123-year history.
A record-breaking start
To find a comparable run of form, one must look all the way back to the 1961-62 season. That legendary squad, managed by the iconic Miguel Munoz, also began their campaign with 13 wins and one defeat.
That team, powered by club legends like Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, and Francisco Gento, went on to win a dominant La Liga and Copa del Generalísimo double.
For Alonso’s new-look side to be in the same statistical company as that all-time great team shows just how dominant their start has been.
In fact, only one team in Real Madrid’s history has ever had a better record after 14 games. The absolute best start belongs to the 1928-29 side, managed by Jose Antonio Berraondo. In the very first La Liga season, they achieved an unbeaten record of 13 wins and one draw.
While that 1928-29 team ultimately finished second to Barcelona, the 1961-62 team’s domestic double is the benchmark this current squad will be aiming for.
After a crucial El Clasico victory over Barcelona last week and with the team sitting firmly at the top of the La Liga table, this record-equalling start is the perfect foundation for a season aimed at winning multiple trophies.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
