There are plenty of positives for Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso going into this international break.
They are two points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga after winning all but one of their opening eight games. They are up and running in the Champions League with two wins from two and stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono are shining.
The caveats? That sole defeat in their domestic league was a 5-2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the derby. And they have some big injury concerns before the first Clasico of the season on October 26, with both of their senior right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal in a race against time to be fit for the game against Barca at the Bernabeu.
We asked you to pose your questions to our Real Madrid correspondents, Mario Cortegana and Guillermo Rai, about the campaign so far and much more besides — including Alonso and Carlo Ancelotti’s contrasting communication styles, Antonio Rudiger’s future and where the club stand on playing games abroad.
Hello Mario and Guillermo, I’d like to ask you a question regarding how Alonso conducts himself in press conferences.I attended his pre- and post-match press conferences against Al Hilal at the Club World Cup in Miami, but since then I have seen him being more conservative and careful in what he says. Am I right? And how do you view Alonso’s communication with the media generally? — Abdulaziz H.
In my experience with Alonso, he is a coach who listens to your questions with great attention.
By contrast, my feeling with his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was that he listened more actively only at the start, then started to think quickly about his answer and even cut you off if it was a topic he was not comfortable with — for example on issues related to the lack of opportunities he gave to young players.
But Ancelotti was a master at handling tense or uncomfortable situations. Alonso is comfortable communicating and has an intellectual background, with lots of cultural interests. But sometimes I think he can come across as if he is trying too hard to show he is in control of things and that everything is fine.
Another point is that Alonso likes to talk in depth about football. In just the few months in which he has been in charge, we have heard concepts about the game and touched on topics that were not previously broached in the press room at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
That said, my feeling is we have yet to see the real Alonso. We are now, as Ancelotti would say, in a honeymoon phase. But there will be criticism, some bad results and potentially more player drama to come…
Mario Cortegana
Hi guys! Any truth to the idea that Rudiger will be let go on a free next summer? — Jose A.
I am very curious to see how the situation with the centre-backs will develop in the coming year in terms of signings, renewals, exits and perhaps even some youngsters being promoted from the academy.
Rudiger’s future remains open. A few months ago, reports elsewhere suggested Madrid were going to bypass their unwritten rule with players more than 30 years old by offering the German an extension longer than a year — but, to the best of my knowledge, this is not accurate. I also do not think it is accurate that he will leave as a free agent next summer, as has been reported recently.
Rudiger played through pain last season (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The 32-year-old has not been able to play normally due to two injuries (first to his knee and then his left leg) and surgery. He has also not been helped by the club failing to sign a centre-back in the summer of 2024, and how much Ancelotti had to play him given the dearth of other options. Rudiger made a huge effort to help the team in a difficult campaign last term, even delaying necessary knee surgery and playing through the pain.
I do not think we have seen the last of Rudiger at a high level in this team. And that is why no decision has yet been taken by either the club or the player. Saudi Pro League sides have shown an interest in him and it is an attractive destination for the defender, but it is only October and nothing is clear yet.
Mario Cortegana
How do you guys expect Alonso to deal with the Arda Guler-Jude Bellingham logjam? It seems that one of the two needs to drop back and play closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or else they won’t be compatible. — Santiago M.
Both Guler and Bellingham are highly regarded by the coaching staff and club. Twenty-year-old Guler has shone this season, with three goals and four assists in 10 appearances, while Bellingham has just returned from shoulder surgery, featuring five times.
In principle, following the international break, the Englishman will have a more prominent role and take up attacking positions, just as Guler has been doing from the start of this season. But Alonso regularly uses a 4-4-2 system, which makes it possible for both of them to play together. It is worth remembering they also have to contend with another attacking midfielder in Franco Mastantuono, who has played 538 minutes so far and is seen as another hugely promising young player.
Alonso himself has said in several press conferences that there is a lot of competition for attacking positions. That is why it is not surprising that playing time is more evenly distributed and we see him rotating Guler and Mastantuono. But, if Madrid face a weaker opponent and Alonso’s team suffer injuries, we may see the three attacking midfielders playing together.
Guillermo Rai
Guler has been in brilliant form this season (Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
What’s the deal with Endrick? Did Alonso want him to go out on loan but he refused? Seems odd not to give him a single minute after 10 matches. – Mychal B
Hi Mychal! Thanks for your question — we will be publishing an article on Endrick’s situation later this week to explain in depth what has been going on with the Brazilian this year.
But just to add a nuance to your question: it is not accurate to say Alonso has not given him a chance in 10 games. Endrick was only available against Getafe after returning from a relapse of the hamstring tendon injury in his right leg that he suffered in May, so in reality it would be five games — although that is still significant.
Sorry that we cannot provide more details at this point, but stay tuned!
Mario Cortegana
Hi guys, any word on whether president Florentino Perez is still backing the Super League? Will Real Madrid seek to play La Liga fixtures abroad? — Tano Pasman
Sources involved in the proposed European Super League project — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — say Perez continues to support it.
But the latest developments suggest there has been a rapprochement between the parties. Several meetings have taken place between executives such as UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis and the co-founder of A22, the company promoting the Super League, Anas Laghrari.
At these meetings, A22 proposed a new format for the Champions League in which the top 18 teams (according to UEFA rankings) face each other in the first eight matchdays, to come into effect in 2027. UEFA’s response so far has been that they do not plan to change their premier competition.
This week, UEFA reluctantly approved European matches being staged abroad — meaning Villarreal’s ‘home’ game against Barcelona in December is close to going ahead in Miami. Madrid have strongly opposed that idea publicly and privately, even publishing a statement against it in August. It forms part of a long-running battle between Madrid and La Liga under the leadership of Javier Tebas.
Madrid also have the support of Spain’s High Sports Council (CSD, which forms part of the Spanish government). That body wants all domestic sports competitions to be held in Spain, along with as many international tournaments as possible (the country will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco, while the 2031 Ryder Cup will take place on the Costa Brava, near Barcelona. The CSD requested information this week from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) about the match in Miami and how it fits with the federation’s regulations.
Guillermo Rai