Real Madrid News
Xabi Alonso seriously considering starting Real Madrid youngster vs Al-Hilal
Real Madrid will play their first game of the Xabi Alonso era later tonight as they take on Al-Hilal in their first Group H game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
All eyes will be on the new manager as fans eagerly await to see how he sets up the team and the starting lineup he picks for his first game in charge.
The defensive side of things seem pretty much settled with both new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen expected to start alongside Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia.
The likes of Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Aurelien Tchouameni are the leading candidates to start in midfield.
Kylian Mbappe’s possible absence in attack due to a fever has opened up a spot in attack.
Arda Guler to start?
As such, AS now reports that manager Xabi Alonso is seriously considering handing a start to Arda Guler on the right flank tonight against Al-Hilal.
With Mbappe out, Rodrygo is expected to feature at centre-forward while Vinicius Jr. will keep his place on the left. And, Guler could now be a strong candidate to take the final spot in the Real Madrid frontline tonight.
It is no secret that Guler is a player Alonso admires greatly. Bayer Leverkusen have attempted to secure him on loan for the past two summers, but the youngster had closed the door firmly.
During their first days working together since June 9, Alonso has taken a very close interest in the youngster. In yesterday’s training session, during the 15 minutes open to the press, he was seen giving specific instructions to the Turkish prodigy.
It could be a strong indicator that Guler is in line for a starting berth tonight when Real Madrid take on Al-Hilal in their Club World Cup opener.
A gifted talent, Guler was unable to nail down a spot for himself in the team under Carlo Ancelotti. But he will hope that things are different with Alonso.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s summer contract renewal saga compared to a romantic movie: ‘We know how the movie will end’
Vinicius Junior’s contract renewal with Real Madrid was one of the club’s biggest stories of the summer.
Months of uncertainty eventually ended in a long-term agreement that keeps the Brazilian at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2032.
At one point, it looked like the prospect of the Brazilian leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer was a realistic possibility.
However, as quoted by MARCA, Thiago Freitas, operations director at Roc Nation, has compared the entire saga to a romantic film with a happy ending.
Vinicius renewal was far from straightforward
Freitas explained that the negotiations were handled by Roc Nation executive Federico Pena and admitted that reaching the final agreement required patience from everyone involved.
“This operation between Vini and Real Madrid was like a trilogy of romance movies,” Freitas said.
“Throughout the movies there are conflicts, there are issues, there are some obstacles. But we all know how the movie will end: with a big kiss and everyone happy,” he added.
There was plenty of speculation around Vinicius while negotiations continued, particularly as the process stretched across the summer.
However, Freitas made it clear that the Brazilian’s preference was always to continue at Real Madrid rather than look for an exit.
“You only have to remember the history of all the players who have passed through Madrid in the last 20 or 30 years. None of them wanted to leave,” he said.
That is an important point for Madrid supporters. The difficulty appears to have been reaching an agreement that satisfied both sides, rather than convincing Vinicius that his future belonged at the club.
Jose Mourinho now has certainty
For Jose Mourinho, the first few weeks were spent in uncertainty over whether Vinicius would be part of his project at the club.
The Portuguese tactician has always been a vocal advocate of keeping the Brazilian and was said to have been a driving factor in the contract negotiations.
Ultimately, as Freitas put it, everything ended in a big hug and a kiss between Vinicius and Real Madrid. It meant that everyone, except Arsenal were happy.
It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old can now repay the club and Mourinho’s faith in him, and return to his best level this season and beyond.
