The Last Memory at the Bernabéu

The last time Xabi Alonso stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu pitch was on April 18, 2017, wearing the Bayern Munich jersey. Three years earlier, after conquering the long-awaited Décima, he had closed his cycle with Real Madrid. That European night was bittersweet—his side was eliminated, but the affection from the Madrid fans remained unforgettable.

The game was defined by Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hat trick and a goal from Marco Asensio, which sealed Madrid’s qualification in extra time after a thrilling quarterfinal clash. Robert Lewandowski and an own goal by Sergio Ramos had earlier leveled the tie at the Bernabéu after Madrid’s 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena. Xabi Alonso started both legs, but in each was substituted by Carlo Ancelotti, who also received the fans’ applause—without imagining he would later return to become the club’s most decorated coach.

That match closed Xabi Alonso’s Champions League career, after winning titles with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, where he lifted one Champions League, one La Liga, and two Copa del Rey trophies.

A New Chapter as Coach

After leaving Madrid at the top and seeking fresh challenges, Xabi Alonso joined Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola before transitioning into coaching. His remarkable success with Bayer Leverkusen quickly placed him on the radar of president Florentino Pérez, who always viewed him as the natural successor to Ancelotti.

Now, 6,195 days since his last appearance at the Bernabéu, Xabi Alonso returns not as a player but as the great hope of the Madridistas, who see in him the leadership to restore the club to European glory.

His debut as coach will come against Osasuna on Tuesday, August 19—a game that signals the start of a new era. With the crowd behind him and the legacy of his playing days, Xabi Alonso steps into the dugout ready to guide Real Madrid toward more historic triumphs.