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French journalist Romain Molina claims Xabi Alonso’s backing of Arda Güler sparked dressing-room tensions at Real Madrid, with several stars reportedly unhappy.
Alonso took a liking to Guler, something that reported caused friction within the team back when Xabi was in charge (AFP)
Fresh allegations have emerged over the circumstances surrounding Xabi Alonso’s exit from Real Madrid.
French investigative journalist Romain Molina claims the former manager’s unwavering faith in Arda Güler caused significant friction inside the dressing room.
According to Molina, several senior players were unhappy with Alonso’s decision to consistently start the Turkish midfielder, believing the 21-year-old was receiving preferential treatment despite the fierce competition for places.
The journalist alleged that Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Endrick were among the players who opposed Alonso during his spell in charge, with Güler’s prominent role becoming one of the major flashpoints.
“At Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham, Valverde, Rodrygo, and Endrick were all against Xabi Alonso. The biggest reason for this was Arda Güler,” Molina claimed.
“Xabi Alonso really liked Arda Güler, trusted him a lot, and consistently played him in the starting eleven. That’s why the other players wanted to sideline Arda Güler.”
Molina added that Güler’s personality only strengthened Alonso’s support for the youngster.
“Arda Güler is a very calm person and became one of Real Madrid’s best players this season. He was also among the best in the national team. Therefore, they all wanted to eliminate Arda Güler.”
The report also revisited claims that Alonso struggled to build relationships with some of Real Madrid’s biggest names, including Kylian Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. Those rumours circulated throughout his tenure, although neither the club nor the players publicly acknowledged any internal divisions.
Adding another twist to the story, the report suggests Alonso — now in charge of Chelsea — would like to reunite with Güler in the Premier League by bringing the Turkish international to Stamford Bridge.
As things stand, the reported dressing-room unrest remains unconfirmed, but the claims have reignited speculation over what really unfolded behind the scenes during Alonso’s time in Madrid.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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