Xabi Alonso Praises Gonzalo García After Dream Hat Trick for Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso, head coach of Real Madrid, publicly praised Gonzalo García after the academy product scored a hat trick in the emphatic 5–1 victory over Real Betis, a match he described as “a dream game” at the Santiago Bernabéu.

“It was a dream match for Gonzalo. Playing at the Bernabéu in his first season with the first team and scoring a hat trick is not something that happens often,” Alonso said during his post-match press conference. “I’m very happy for him and for the daily work he puts in, whether he plays or not.” The coach also highlighted his mentality, calling him “a great example of what a Real Madrid academy player should be.”

Beyond the goals, Alonso emphasized a key aspect of the young striker’s performance: his defensive work rate and pressing, which he believes are vital to the team’s balance. “Modern football demands collective effort without the ball. Gonzalo understands when and how to press. He has aggression, acceleration, and goals — and when you add that defensive commitment, the team gains a lot of defensive balance,” Alonso explained.

The win over Betis also produced a historic milestone for the club. All five goals were scored by academy graduates — Gonzalo García, Raúl Asencio, and Fran García — something that had not happened since 1989. “It’s a remarkable stat and great news for the academy. When players respond like this, it’s down to work and attitude,” Alonso said.

Looking ahead, the Real Madrid coach also left the door open for a potential return of Kylian Mbappé in the Spanish Super Cup. “He’s not completely ruled out. We’ll wait and assess his condition before making a final decision,” he noted.

Alonso also spoke positively about Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo, stressing the importance of having all profiles available during a decisive stretch of the season. The message is clear: Real Madrid start the year with momentum, a strong academy presence, and new attacking solutions that are generating excitement among fans.