According to the dictionary, the adjective class means showing stylish excellence. Whenever I think of Xabi Alonso, the only adjective I have for him is class. There is a brazilian term to define that: “Joga de terno“, which translates to “plays in a suit”. Of course, his incredible looks when not in a football uniform are a class act, but the way he played on the pitch is just as classy.
In a generation of so many talented midfielders, the basque man is certainly one that stands out for his mastermind. A Spanish generation of possession based football, in the middle of the tiki-taka revolution, Xabi Alonso did not just stand out for his passing ability, but also for his understanding of the game and his incredible ability to see things that nobody else could.
Xabier Alonso Olando was born in the Basque city of Tolosa. Xabi already had the football genes, as his father played for Real Sociedad in the late 70’s and early 80’s, having a big impact in Sociedad’s title winning seasons in 1981 and 1982.
He started playing at the academy of Basque club Antiguoko, together with his brother Mikel and his childhood friend Mikel Arteta. After nine years at the Antiguoko academy, Xabi joined Real Sociedad and was followed by his brother, while Arteta decided to join the giants of La Masia, Barcelona.
Despite being just 18 years-old when he made his debut for the Erreala, Xabi demonstrated the maturity we’ve seen all through his career. He was appointed team captain by John Toshack, Sociedad’s manager at the time, and led the team to a 2nd place finish in La Liga and a Round of 16 Champions League run before making his dream move to Anfield.
We all know his history at Merseyside. Alonso won the Champions League at his first season in England and scored the vital goal to complete the comeback at Istanbul in the most iconic Champions League final ever. After just a year at Anfield, Alonso had already become a cult-hero and a big personality in a Liverpool midfield that was regarded as one of the best in the world.
“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, we’ve got the best midfield in the world. We’ve got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano”.
His years at Liverpool explain why Xabi Alonso is one of my favourite players of all-time. He showed his genius all through his career, but Liverpool was the place that he really flourished.
Alonso’s partnership with Steven Gerrard will always be regarded as one of the best the Premier League has ever seen. Gerrard was the engine, the man responsible for making things happen. Alonso was the quiet genius whose presence was able to keep the midfield as a well-oiled machine.
His playmaking ability stood out from the lot, his ability of picking passes was his main trait. However, to add to the special player he was, the ability of reading the game was as special as his ability with the ball on his feet. His tactical and positional awareness are the reasons why we rarely saw Xabi making an extraordinary defensive play. He didn’t need to, he was always in the right place.
When Steven Gerrard announced his Liverpool departure in 2015, Alonso tweeted saying that Gerrard was his hero and his mate. And when Alonso announced his retirement, Gerrard spoke to Bayern TV saying that Xabi was his best partner in midfield. It’s a bromance that will always be remembered by Liverpool fans all around the globe.
Xabi Alonso is quite possibly, one of the best passers in the game’s history. That was his main ability, the ability of setting the tempo. José Mourinho labelled Alonso as the metronome, the team plays at his rhythm. These days, midfielders have to be explosive, be able to drive the ball forward with power. The ability to be the master of the orchestra is slowly being forgotten.
That goal against Newcastle compiles all that Xabi was able to do with the ball on his feet. The vision to see Steve Harper and where he was and the ability to hit the ball with such power and accuracy just shows how good he was. As we use to say here in Brazil, scoring from the centre circle is being able to score the goal that Pelé wasn’t able to.
Not only Xabi scored this incredible goal, but he did it twice, having scored in a similar way against Luton in an incredible FA Cup tie, months earlier.
Alonso gave plenty of memories to the Liverpool fans. His both goals from Liverpool’s own half, the equaliser in the Champions League final, the goal at Stamford Bridge that ended Chelsea’s 86 games unbeaten home run and that incredible free-kick against Fulham. He was a part of the “best midfield in the world”, and a really vital player.
It was a strange decision when Liverpool let Xabi join Real Madrid in 2009, and certainly one that still gives pain to Liverpool fans. He was a hero and inspiration to a big part of Liverpool fans and his departure left a void in Liverpool’s midfield. A player that was in his prime and a presence that was able to pull things together was surely going to be missed.
Similarly to his time at Liverpool, Alonso was successful at Real Madrid. The La Liga title in 2012 had a bigger meaning than just winning. Real Madrid were finally able to end Barcelona’s disnaty at the top of the table, the mission José Mourinho was given. And not only Alonso was a part of the team, but he played a huge role with his consistency and leadership.
Through all his five years at the Spanish capital, Alonso was seen as the maestro. He played a huge role in every season and was seen as a irreplacable piece of Real Madrid’s starting 11. The consistency, ability on the ball, leadership and calmness are qualities that any team needs.
In his last season at Real Madrid, Alonso ended his spell in the most worthy way possible. Despite being suspended in the 2013/14 Champions League final, Alonso’s influence all through the tournament was key.
With Real Madrid trailling in added time against Atlético, Xabi kept encouraging his teammates in the stands, being a big inffluence not just on the pitch. We all know how this game ended up, with Real Madrid claiming their 10th Champions League trophy and Xabi getting his second winners medal.
Xabi’s final move was to Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. Having joined for an undisclosed fee and in a two-year deal, Xabi made his debut for the Bavarian giants on the following day. This sums up pretty much how genius he was. Alonso had one training session with the team and was playing in a completely different league. Alonso had already mastered the midfield game.
Despite not being able to win the Champions League, Guardiola was able to make Bayern one of the most dominating and imposing teams in the history of the game. When Pep joined Bayern, people expected to see something similar from the tiki-taka and positional game of his Barcelona reign.
The philosophy remained the same, taking care of the ball has always been Guardiola’s main guideline. However, Pep’s ability of adapting into a different culture and mixing the style of play from Germany, together with his philosophy of the position game, is what makes Pep Guardiola the best manager in activity. His eclecticism to adapt to wherever he goes and still be so effective is the reason why Martin Perarnau calls him the “Chameleon of Football”.
What does Alonso have to do with all this? Through his three years at Bayern Munich, most of the times Alonso played a big part into Bayern’s adaptation to a different scenario. When Pep Guardiola got his man, he knew how brilliant he was and how big of a contribution he could have into Pep’s football revolution in Germany.
Many people will only remember that Pep wasn’t able to deliever the Champions League. Well, this is true. However, the way he was able to revolutionise the German football, with a style of play that they had never seen, being so dominant, attacking-minded and effective, is a lot more bigger than winning the Champions League. Bayern won the league title in the three seasons they were guided by Guardiola. And Alonso was a big part for it all.
Let’s not forget Xabi’s international career. As I mentioned before, Xabi was born in Spain’s golden generation. Casillas, Sérgio Ramos, Sérgio Busquets, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Iniesta and Xavi are a few names to mention.
With the national team, Xabi was a part of the team that won the Euros in 2008, Spain’s first international glory. He was also a regular in Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010 and will always be remembered in the final against Netherlands. Then followed the win at the Euros in 2012. His illustrious international career makes him even more special.
Having retired in the end of last season, Xabi Alonso left a big legacy for the fans of the beautiful game. We were able to see the genius inside of him all through his career, and it was really a pleasure to watch.
Being coached by Rafa Benitez, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, Xabi has some big managerial influences. The way he behave on the pitch and his reading of the game, together with the big name influences he had throughout his career, there’s no doubt that Xabi Alonso will be a great manager.
The class of his suits and stylish looks, together with his brilliance on the pitch, makes Xabi one of the best midfielders the world has ever seen. Alonso was a pleasure to watch all through his 18-year playing career. He may not be remembered for his goals and attacking power. However, the way he quietly orchestrated things just highlights how genius he was.
By: Gabriel Coelho
The Final Whistle 