Real Madrid Player Optimistic That Xabi Alonso's Arrival Can Improve The Situation

Xabi Alonso has been waiting for his arrival at Real Madrid (Instagram/@bayer04fussball).

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal said only time to answer whether Carlo Ancelotti's successor, Xabi Alonso, could turn things around after a disappointing season.

The closing match of the season on Saturday, May 24, 2025, against Real Sociedad will be Ancelotti's last game as coach of Los Blancos before he takes control of the Brazilian National Team.

Real Madrid have yet to inaugurate Alonso's appointment, but the Spaniard is expected to return to his former club after announcing his departure from Bayer Leverkusen.

"It looks like Xabi will be the one to come though it's not yet official. Only time will tell if Xabi is the right person to turn things around this year as we haven't won a single one of the three main titles."

"However, that's football. In the end, the results determine the future of the coach and the player," said Carvajal.

Former Real Madrid midfielder, Xabi Alonso, will take over from the start of the 2025 Club World Cup next month.

The 43-year-old has spent nearly three seasons at Leverkusen and guided the team to a historic unbeaten league season in 2023/2024 as part of two domestic titles.

"Xabi has just had two fantastic seasons with Bayer Leverkusen. I think he will do very well."

"He knows this club better than anyone else. He's been a player, he's been defending this club for years. He knows what it means to be a Real Madrid player. I think that's also an added value for him as a coach," said Carvajal.

Real Madrid were eliminated by Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals and lost to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

Ancelotti's side bid farewell to their hopes of winning the La Liga title with a 4-5 defeat at Barcelona headquarters in the El Clasico match on May 11, 2025.

Real Madrid are predicted to finish second at the end of the season, just behind Barcelona.

Real Madrid's celebration with Ancelotti - who won 15 trophies over two terms as Los Blancos manager and last season brought the Champions League doubles title and La Liga - to disappear this season.

"I have mixed feelings. I am very sad about Carlo's departure. I am sad to see him leave."

"I have been with him for many years, in his first and in his second time. We have won everything together."

"He's like a father in a world of football to me. Well, I say this with great sadness."

"However, in the end I hope that on Saturday the coach will receive the respect he deserves as the most successful coach in the club's history," said Carvajal.

Meanwhile, Alonso isn't the only addition Real Madrid will have in June 2025.

The club has confirmed the recruitment of Spanish defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.

"It's a great signing. He (Huijsen) is a good player. I'm sure he will help us a lot," Carvajal said.

Real Madrid is also expected to recruit Liverpool's right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he will be a free agent.

However, Carvajal is not afraid to compete for a place with the England National Team player.

He will be ready to compete in a healthy manner after announcing the news of his return to the field after being injured by ACL since October 2024.

"Facing the competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold? Not yet official, but it looks like it will."

"Afraid? We're not talking about fear here, we're going to be teammates. Competition increases the ability of both of us and takes out the best of ourselves."

"I will go to the 2025 Club World Cup. There I will start working with the team and assess when I can compete," said the 33-year-old.

In addition, Real Madrid also want to strengthen their full-back position. Leverkusen defender Alejandro Grimaldo is on the list under consideration.

Former Barcelona young product, Grimaldo, has just finished his second season under Alonso at Leverkusen and will be open to following his coach to the Bernabeu this summer.

The 26-year-old has also thrown a signal ready to accept with open arms the move to Real Madrid.

"I've always dreamed of playing for big clubs, it's always been my goal. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madird are big clubs."

"There are many big clubs in England. That doesn't mean I don't want to be in Leverkusen."

"However, every player has their own goals. My club knows that my dream is to return to Spain from the first day they recruited me."

"My goal is to play in Spain again," said Grimaldo Cadena COPe.

In addition, Grimaldo, is also happy if he will finally return with Alonso. The player who joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2023 from Benfica also said positive things about his coach.

"My relationship with him is always very good. He knows I went to Leverkusen because of him. I am very grateful to him for taking care of me for the last two years," he said.