Xabi Alonso facts for kids
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Alonso in 2018
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 25 November 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tolosa, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Bayer Leverkusen (head coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1999 | Antiguoko | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Real Sociedad B | 39 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2004 | Real Sociedad | 114 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | → Eibar (loan) | 14 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2009 | Liverpool | 143 | (15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2014 | Real Madrid | 158 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | Bayern Munich | 79 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 547 | (35) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Spain U18 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Spain U21 | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2012 | Basque Country | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2014 | Spain | 114 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2022 | Real Sociedad B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | Bayer Leverkusen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Xabi Alonso is a famous Spanish football manager and former player. He was born on November 25, 1981, in Tolosa, Spain. Many people think he was one of the best midfielders of his time. He was known for his amazing passes. Now, he is the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. People also see him as one of the best young football managers.
Alonso started his career at Real Sociedad, a team from his home area. After a short loan to Eibar, he became captain of Real Sociedad. His team finished second in La Liga in the 2002–03 season. In 2004, he moved to Liverpool. He won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, even scoring in the final. Later, he also won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.
In 2009, Alonso joined Real Madrid. There, he won La Liga, two Copas del Rey, and another Champions League title. He then moved to German club Bayern Munich in 2015. With Bayern, he won three Bundesliga titles. He retired from playing football in 2017.
Alonso first played for the Spanish national team in April 2003. He helped Spain win Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. He played his 100th game for Spain in 2012, scoring two goals against France. Alonso stopped playing for Spain after the 2014 World Cup. He is one of Spain's most capped players, with 114 appearances.
After retiring as a player, Alonso started coaching. He coached Real Madrid's U14 team. In 2019, he became manager of Real Sociedad B. He led them to get promoted to the Segunda División. In 2022, he became the head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. In 2024, he led them to win their first Bundesliga title and their first DFB Pokal since 1993, completing an amazing unbeaten season in Germany.
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Xabi Alonso was born in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, a town in the Basque Country. His family was well-known for football. His father, Periko Alonso, won La Liga twice with Real Sociedad. He also played for the national team.
Xabi lived in Barcelona for his first six years. Then, his family moved to San Sebastián (Donostia). This is where his love for football truly began. He spent his childhood playing on Playa de la Concha (Shell Beach). There, he became friends with Mikel Arteta, who also became a famous footballer. They often played against each other.
Xabi's father would take him and his older brother, Mikel, to practice football. Xabi loved passing the ball well more than scoring goals. From a young age, he chose to play as a defensive midfielder. This role helped him learn to pass the ball perfectly. This skill became very important in his career.
Xabi and Mikel Arteta both dreamed of playing for Real Sociedad together. They joined a local youth team called Antiguoko. Their great playing caught the eye of scouts from top Spanish clubs. Xabi went to Real Sociedad, and Arteta moved to Barcelona. Xabi's brother Mikel also joined Real Sociedad with him.
Playing Career Highlights
Real Sociedad Journey
Alonso quickly moved up through the youth teams at Real Sociedad. He made his first team debut at 18 years old in December 1999. The next year, he was loaned to Eibar to get more experience. His father believed this move helped him a lot.
In January 2001, Real Sociedad was struggling. The new manager, John Toshack, made the 20-year-old Alonso the team captain. This was unusual for such a young player. By the end of the season, Alonso helped the team avoid being relegated. Toshack praised Alonso's amazing impact on the team.
Under Toshack, Alonso's leadership helped Real Sociedad improve. The team finished 13th in the 2001–02 season. Alonso played in 30 games and scored his first league goal. In the 2002–03 season, Real Sociedad had their best league performance in years. They finished second, just behind Real Madrid. This earned them a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the first time. Alonso was highly praised and won the Best Spanish Player award. He also scored 12 goals that season.
His great performances led to his first call-up for the Spain national football team. Alonso played his first international game in April 2003. Spain won 4–0 against Ecuador. The coach, Iñaki Sáez, said Alonso had "a fantastic range of accurate passing."
The 2003–04 season was mixed. Real Sociedad played in the Champions League, but struggled in La Liga. Alonso played in all their European games. He caught the attention of former player Jan Mølby, who was impressed by his precise passing. Despite interest from Real Madrid, Alonso stayed loyal to Real Sociedad.
In August 2004, Liverpool made an offer for Alonso. Real Sociedad agreed to a deal worth about £10.7 million. Alonso was happy to join Liverpool and work with manager Rafael Benítez.
Liverpool Success
Champions League Victory (2004–05)
Alonso joined Liverpool in 2004. Manager Rafael Benítez was changing the team. Alonso made his Premier League debut against Bolton Wanderers. Liverpool lost, but the press already praised Alonso's passing. In a game against Fulham, Liverpool was losing 2–0 at half-time. Alonso came on as a substitute and helped Liverpool win 4–2. He scored his first goal for the team from a free kick.
Alonso kept scoring important goals. He scored his first goal at Anfield against Arsenal in a 2–1 win. But then, he broke his ankle after a tackle from Frank Lampard in January 2005. This kept him out of action for three months.
Alonso returned for the Champions League quarter-final against Juventus. Even though he wasn't fully fit, he played the whole game. Liverpool drew 0–0 and won the tie overall. In the semi-final against Chelsea, Alonso got a yellow card, which meant he would miss the next game. Liverpool won the second leg 1–0 and reached the final against Milan.
The Champions League final was amazing. Liverpool was losing 3–0 to Milan. But they made a huge comeback in the second half. Liverpool got a penalty, and Alonso took it. The goalkeeper saved it, but Alonso scored from the rebound, making the score 3–3. Liverpool won the game in a penalty shootout. Alonso was praised for his key role in the comeback. He called it "the best moment in my professional career." This game is known as the 'Miracle of Istanbul'.
FA Cup Winner (2005–06)
Alonso played in almost every game during the 2005–06 season. He avoided the injuries that affected his first season. On January 7, 2006, in an FA Cup game against Luton Town, Alonso scored two incredible goals from very far away. One was from 45 yards, and the other from 65 yards, behind the half-way line. A Liverpool fan even won £25,000 by betting Alonso would score from his own half!
Alonso got an ankle injury before the FA Cup final. But he recovered enough to start the game against West Ham United. He set up a goal for Steven Gerrard from a free kick. Alonso had to leave the game early due to his injury. Liverpool won the FA Cup in a penalty shootout.
Later Years at Liverpool (2006–2009)
On September 20, 2006, Alonso scored another amazing goal from his own half against Newcastle United. It was a 70-yard shot. He said he practiced long-range shots often. This made him the only outfield player in modern football to score two consecutive goals from inside his own half.
In June 2007, Alonso signed a new five-year contract with Liverpool. He said he loved the club and its fans. The 2007–08 season started well for him. He scored twice in a 6–0 win against Derby County. However, he got a foot injury that kept him out for six weeks. He rushed his return, and the injury came back.
Alonso returned in December 2007. He faced more competition for his spot from Javier Mascherano and Lucas. But manager Rafael Benítez still saw him as a "top class player." Alonso made his 100th league appearance for Liverpool in January 2008.
In the summer of 2008, there were rumors that Alonso might leave Liverpool. The club was trying to sign Gareth Barry to replace him. This made Alonso feel unsure about his place. But the fans showed him a lot of support. He said, "The fans couldn't have done more to show me how they felt... I'm just glad that, in the end, nothing came of it."
Alonso started the 2008–09 season strongly. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Chelsea. This was the first time an away team won at Stamford Bridge in over four years. By December, he was the first Premier League player to complete 1,000 successful passes that season. His last goal for Liverpool was in a 3–1 win against Hull City in April.
Real Madrid Years
Joining the Spanish Giants (2009–10)
Alonso moved to Real Madrid for £30 million in August 2009. Some people believe he didn't want to leave Liverpool. He was given the number 22 jersey. He scored his first goal for Real Madrid in February 2010, a penalty in a 6–2 win against Villarreal.
In his first season, Alonso played in almost every game. He helped Real Madrid finish with a club-record 96 points in La Liga. This was the third time Alonso helped his team set a new points record while finishing second. Fans and experts called him one of the club's "most consistent" players. He was even nicknamed La Barba Roja ("The Red Beard").
Winning Titles (2010–14)
In his second season, José Mourinho became the new manager. Alonso wore the number 14 jersey. He didn't score any goals that season, but he helped Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey.
Alonso started his third season by scoring a goal against Barcelona in the 2011 Supercopa de España. In September 2011, he played his 100th official game for Real Madrid. He then won his first league title in his career with Real Madrid.
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In January 2014, Alonso signed a new contract with Real Madrid. In April 2014, Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 4–0 in the Champions League semi-final. This sent them to the final. Alonso received a yellow card in that game, which meant he couldn't play in the final. But Real Madrid won the final against Atlético Madrid, so Alonso earned his second Champions League medal.
Bayern Munich Farewell
In August 2014, Alonso moved to Bayern Munich in Germany. He made his debut the next day. In September 2014, he broke a record for most passes completed in a Bundesliga game, with 196. He scored his first goal for Bayern in October 2014, a free kick in a 6–0 win.
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In his 100th Champions League game, Alonso was sent off with a red card. In April 2015, he missed a penalty in a shootout against Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup semi-final. He also missed a penalty in the German Supercup.
Alonso signed a new contract with Bayern in December 2015, keeping him until 2017. In March 2017, he announced he would retire from football at the end of the season. He played his last professional game on May 20, 2017, in a 4–1 win at home. He even assisted the first goal.
International Career for Spain
Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup
Alonso first played for the Spain national football team in April 2003, when he was 21. It was a friendly game against Ecuador, which Spain won 4–0.
He was part of Spain's squad for UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal. He played as a substitute in one game and started another. Spain was knocked out in the group stage.
Alonso was also in the Spanish squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored Spain's first goal of the tournament against Ukraine. Spain won all their group games, but then lost to France in the knockout stage.
Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup Wins
Even though Liverpool didn't win any trophies in the 2007–08 season, Alonso had a chance to win with Spain at Euro 2008. He mostly came on as a substitute. He captained Spain in the last group game against Greece and was named man of the match. Spain went on to win the tournament, and Alonso played in four of their six matches. He said Spain's victory was deserved because of their teamwork.
At the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, Spain lost in the semi-finals to the United States. In the third-place game against South Africa, Alonso scored a free kick in extra time to win the game 3–2.
Alonso started every game for Spain in the 2010 tournament. He played in midfield with Sergio Busquets and Xavi. He helped Spain win their first ever World Cup trophy. In the final against the Netherlands, he was kicked in the chest by a Dutch player. It looked like a red card foul, but the referee only gave a yellow. Alonso played on for another hour despite the pain.
Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup
On June 23, 2012, Alonso played his 100th game for Spain in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals against France. He scored both goals in a 2–0 win. The first was a header, and the second was a penalty kick. In the semi-final shootout against Portugal, his penalty was saved, but Spain still won. Spain then beat Italy 4–0 in the final. This was Alonso's third major title with Spain.
Spain was a favorite to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, they were knocked out in the first round. Alonso scored a penalty in their first match against the Netherlands, but Spain lost 5–1. Spain then lost 2–0 to Chile. They won their final group match 3–0 against Australia.
Alonso retired from international football on August 27, 2014.
Basque Country Team
Alonso also played for the Basque Country national team. He made his debut in a friendly game against Ghana in December 2001. He played for them regularly when his club schedule allowed. His last game for Basque Country was in December 2012, a 6–1 win over Bolivia.
How Xabi Alonso Played
Xabi Alonso was a consistent and hardworking midfielder. Many people consider him one of the best midfielders of his time. He was good at both creating chances and defending.
He had great technique, excellent vision, and could pass the ball in many ways. He was especially good as a deep-lying playmaker. This meant he played deeper in midfield and used his accurate long passes to set up goals for his teammates. He also had a powerful and accurate shot from far away. He was good at set-pieces and penalty kicks.
Because of his height and strength, Alonso was also good at heading the ball. He often scored headed goals from set pieces. Besides his creative skills, he was also a strong defensive midfielder. He was tough, smart, and good at tackling. He could also read the game very well. Sometimes, he was criticized for making strong tackles that led to yellow cards.
Former Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola once called Alonso one of the best midfielders he had ever seen. His former teammate Steven Gerrard said Alonso was the best midfielder he ever played with.
Coaching and Managerial Career
Early Coaching Steps
Real Madrid U14
In 2018, Xabi Alonso started his coaching journey. He was taking a special coaching course with other former players like Raúl. During this time, he coached the Real Madrid U14 team.
Real Sociedad B
Alonso became the manager of Segunda División B club Real Sociedad B in June 2019. His first game was a 1–1 draw.
In his second season, he led Sanse (Real Sociedad B) to get promoted to the Segunda División. This was the first time they had been in that league since 1961–62. Even though other clubs were interested in him, Alonso signed a new contract with Real Sociedad B.
In August 2021, he won his first game in the second tier. In May 2022, Real Sociedad announced that Alonso would leave the team.
Bayer Leverkusen Success
Rising from the Bottom (2022–23)
On October 5, 2022, Alonso was named the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. The team was near the bottom of the Bundesliga. Three days later, he led them to a 4–0 home win. Leverkusen reached their first European semi-final in 21 years, but lost to José Mourinho's Roma. By the end of the season, Leverkusen finished 6th and qualified for the Europa League. Alonso decided to stay for a second season.
Historic Unbeaten Season (2023–24)
In August 2023, Alonso signed a new contract until 2026. He brought in new players like Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo. Alonso set up his team to focus on passing and quick counter-attacks. They had a great start, conceding very few goals. In the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League group stage, they won all six games.
Leverkusen set a new record for unbeaten games in Germany, passing Bayern Munich's record. Alonso was linked to managing former clubs like Bayern Munich and Liverpool. But in March 2024, he confirmed he would stay at Leverkusen.
On April 14, Alonso led Leverkusen to win their first ever Bundesliga title. They did this with five games still to play! On May 9, his team set a new European record of 49 games unbeaten in all competitions. This broke Benfica's old record. The streak reached 51 games, including an unbeaten Bundesliga season. However, it ended with a 3–0 loss to Atalanta in the Europa League final. Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen also won the 2023–24 DFB-Pokal on May 25, completing a domestic double.
Personal Life
Alonso was known as a quiet and friendly person by his teammates. He is married to Nagore Aranburu. They have three children: one son and two daughters. In March 2008, he missed a Champions League game to be with his wife when she gave birth. He said, "I have to be with my family at times like these."
Alonso and Mikel Arteta were neighbors when they were kids in San Sebastián. They also lived near each other in Liverpool when Arteta played for Everton. Alonso even convinced Arteta to join Everton.
Xabi's brother, Mikel, also played football for Real Unión. He was on loan at Bolton Wanderers for a season. Xabi also has another brother, Jon, who is a referee.
Alonso is a fan of Gaelic football and supports the Meath team. He learned about the sport when he stayed with a family in Kells, County Meath at age 15 to learn English.
Even after leaving Liverpool, Alonso has said he is still a Liverpool supporter. He goes to watch their games when he can. In 2011, he said, "I am still a Liverpool fan and will be forever, absolutely." He also said he would raise his son, who was born in Liverpool, as a Liverpool fan.
Honours
Player Achievements
Liverpool
- FA Cup: 2005–06
- FA Community Shield: 2006
- UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
- UEFA Super Cup: 2005
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2011–12
- Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14
- Supercopa de España: 2012
- UEFA Champions League: 2013–14
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- DFB-Pokal: 2015–16
- DFL-Supercup: 2016
Spain National Team
Individual Awards
- Spanish Player of the Year: 2003
- BBC Goal of the Month: November 2004
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2011, 2012
- La Liga Best Midfielder: 2011–12
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2014–15
Decorations
- Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011
Manager Achievements
Bayer Leverkusen
- Bundesliga: 2023–24
- DFB-Pokal: 2023–24
- DFL-Supercup: 2024
Individual Awards
- Globe Soccer Best Coach of the Year: 2024
- VDV Bundesliga Coach of the Season: 2023–24
- Football Manager of the Year in Germany: 2024
Images for kids
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Alonso in 2018
Error: no page names specified (help).
- List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
