Softfootball understands that Xabi Alonso turned 44 today; this comes at a moment where he’s right at the center of Real Madrid’s future. It’s quite a full-circle moment for him, going from running the midfield years ago to now trying to shape the whole team from the dugout.
Following their recent 2-2 draw against Elche, Real Madrid took time to wish him a happy birthday via their official X account.
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Born on November 25, 1981, in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, he’s always been connected to Spanish football in one way or another, but this step at Madrid feels a bit different, almost like a return that was always going to happen sooner or later.
As a player, Alonso wasn’t the flashiest guy on the pitch, but he was the one who made everything tick. Calm on the ball, clever with his positioning, and one of those midfielders who didn’t really need to sprint everywhere to control the game. People still talk about that 2005 Champions League final with Liverpool, the comeback, his goal, and the whole chaos of the night.
After that, he moved to Real Madrid in 2009, and, honestly, that’s where he cemented his status as one of the most reliable midfield brains around. La Décima in 2014, the 2012 league title, the Copa del Rey, and plenty of silverware. Then the spell at Bayern Munich before calling it a day in 2017.
For Spain, he was part of basically the greatest era the national team ever had. Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012, he played in all of them. His 100th cap, when he scored twice against France, is still remembered as one of those “this guy always shows up” moments.
After retiring, his coaching path started steady rather than dramatic. Madrid’s youth teams first, then Real Sociedad B, and eventually Bayer Leverkusen, where things really exploded in a good way. That unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2023–24, plus the domestic double, turned him into one of Europe’s most talked-about managers. His style, the 3-4-2-1, the balance, the man-management, it all came together nicely.
Now at Real Madrid since June 2025, he’s working with players like Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Early talk around the club suggests he’s calm, not in a rush, but trying to sort out problems like last season’s defensive gaps. It’s still early, and some things look rough around the edges, but that’s normal for a first season.
Turning 44 as Real Madrid manager, leading the team to a Champions League game against Olympiacos this Wednesday isn’t just symbolic for Alonso. It feels like the start of a chapter he’s been quietly preparing for over the years, even when he didn’t say it out loud.
