Three Real Madrid Players Who Will Benefit from Ancelotti Being Replaced by Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s appointment as the next Real Madrid manager is virtually a done deal, even though Carlo Ancelotti will remain in charge until the final match of the season at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Sociedad.
The Spanish coach is already planning for his arrival at the club, with a focus on the FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025–2026 season. On Sunday, he made it clear what he’s looking for in his next chapter:
“We’ll see what happens, but I want to be happy wherever I go. That means working hard and having a good team. The important thing is to live new experiences and do different things,” said Alonso in a press conference.
Players Who Stand to Gain
Xabi Alonso’s words suggest that everyone will start from scratch under his leadership — a major opportunity for many players in the squad.
There are several footballers who haven’t fully found their place this season under Ancelotti and will be extra motivated by the arrival of the Basque coach, hoping for more minutes on the pitch.
Obvious Beneficiaries
- Arda Güler – The Turkish wonderkid has had limited playing time due to injuries and strong competition.
- Endrick – The Brazilian prodigy, who joins officially this summer, could find in Alonso a mentor willing to nurture his talents early.
- Brahim Díaz – Despite flashes of brilliance, Brahim has not had consistent opportunities and could benefit from a fresh approach.
- Fran García – While he’s played mostly due to Ferland Mendy’s injuries, he’s still been behind Alaba and Camavinga at left-back in big games. Alonso could change that dynamic.
- Andriy Lunin – Perhaps the most emotionally affected, Lunin was left out of major finals (last year’s Champions League and this year’s Copa del Rey) by Ancelotti. Alonso may give him a fairer shot, which could improve his standing and morale.
The potential reset under Xabi Alonso brings hope and opportunity to those who have been on the fringes under Ancelotti.
