Club World Cup set to decide future of six Real Madrid stars under Xabi Alonso
According to a recent report from SPORT, several Real Madrid players are facing uncertain futures as incoming manager Xabi Alonso prepares to take charge of his first matches.
With no major silverware to show for the season, Real Madrid are now focusing on the upcoming Club World Cup, a rare opportunity to end a disappointing campaign with a trophy, and more importantly, a critical proving ground for fringe players.
Advertisement
This new edition of the Club World Cup will serve as a litmus test for several members of the current squad.
While certain names like Jesus Vallejo and Lucas Vazquez are expected to depart regardless of performance, others still have a chance to convince Alonso they deserve to stay.
Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos, Endrick, David Alaba, Rodrygo, and Fran Garcia are all players whose futures are not yet secure.
Alaba and Garcia under pressure
David Alaba is facing uncertain future. (Photo by)
Alaba's situation is particularly delicate. The recovery of Eder Militao and Antonio Rüdiger, combined with the likely integration of young defender Dean Huijsen, means Alaba could start the season as Real Madrid's fourth-choice centre-back.
Advertisement
To add to the challenge, Alonso is said to be keen on giving youth academy talent Joan Martinez a shot in the first team.
On the left flank, Garcia is under equally intense scrutiny. With Ferland Mendy recovering from injury and Alvaro Carreras heavily linked with a return to Madrid, the left-back position is facing an overload.
Garcia will be the only natural left-back available for the Club World Cup and is expected to use the tournament as a final audition. If he fails to impress, he could be the one sacrificed when Mendy regains fitness and Carreras potentially arrives.
Rodrygo and Endrick face different paths
Rodrygo will play the FIFA Club World Cup for his future. (Photo by)
Rodrygo's case is more complex. While the Brazilian has contributed in flashes, the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and the rise of Arda Guler may limit his minutes. If Madrid decide to cash in, Rodrygo's exit would come in the form of a permanent transfer, not a loan.
Advertisement
Endrick, on the other hand, is still seen as one for the future. While there is excitement about his potential, the plan may involve loaning him out to gain consistent playing time, especially if the attacking positions are crowded.
Lastly, in midfield, Ceballos and Modric are also entering uncertain territory. The Croatian's time at Madrid may be drawing to a close unless he can prove to Alonso that he still has the legs and vision to contribute at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Ceballos has struggled to consistently break into the starting XI and could be seen as expendable unless he shines at the Club World Cup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
13 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Sinner bids for his first French Open title against defending champion Alcaraz
PARIS (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has not yet dropped a set in his bid to win the French Open for the first time. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, his opponent in Sunday's final, has dropped four sets along the way. Sinner has only been pushed to one tiebreaker — in Friday's semifinal win against Novak Djokovic — and is on a 20-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, after winning the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. 'Jannik, he's the best tennis player right now,' the No. 2-ranked Alcaraz said. 'I mean, he's destroying every opponent through the semifinal.' But Alcaraz has considerable factors in his favor. He has a 21-1 record on clay this year, winning titles on the dirt in Rome — beating Sinner in the final after the Italian returned from his doping ban — and Monte Carlo. Alcaraz also has won the past four matches against Sinner, leads him 7-4 overall, and has won more majors — 4-3 — despite being one year younger at 22. He has also played in a French Open final before, which Sinner has not. Djokovic, who owns a men's-record 24 major titles and 100 in total, has faced and beaten the greatest players of his era. But he felt the relentless aggression of Sinner's forehand and booming power of his serve during his straight-set defeat on Friday — his fourth straight loss to Sinner. Djokovic has also lost in two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz, who displays shot-making wizardry from anywhere on the court, and sometimes hits even harder than Sinner does. So Djokovic knows just how difficult it is to cope against both players, saying 'these kind of guys, like Sinner and Alcaraz, they're constantly on you and basically increase the pressure as the match progresses.' Djokovic added: 'When the opportunities are presented, they're very rare, so it makes you a little more anxious.' Big picture for Sinner Sinner said the key to his victory against Djokovic, who pushed him hard in the third set on Friday, was staying calm and, somehow, managing to have enough focus amid the onslaught of Djokovic's attacks to still see the big picture. 'It's important to take your time. It's important to understand the moments of the match, which I think I made very good,' he said. 'The mental part was in a good spot.' That's where he maybe has the edge over Alcaraz. The jovial Spaniard, who loves to entertain the crowd, has looked the more nervous player at Roland-Garros so far. At times he struggled against eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in their semifinal, which Alcaraz won in four sets after the Italian retired with a leg injury. But he's 'not worried' about dropping a few sets. 'Because I know that I have time and I'm strong mentally enough to come back,' Alcaraz said. Alcaraz proved that in last year's French Open final, when he came back from 2-1 down in sets to beat Alexander Zverev, another big server like Sinner. The hallmarks of his comeback in that match were down-the-line, forehand winners mixed with remarkable drop shots launched from anywhere. Big win for tennis fans Sinner is serving better than Alcaraz, however, and also showed his deft touch with a majestic flick-of-the-wrist drop shot that mesmerized even Djokovic. 'It's going to be a really great Sunday,' Alcaraz said. 'For the fans of tennis.' The result will see either Alcaraz pulling away to a 5-3 lead in major titles, or Sinner equalizing on 4-4. A new tennis rivalry to match the glorious three-way battle for supremacy between Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? 'At the moment, that's kind of hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years nonstop in order to be part of the same discussion,' the 38-year-old Djokovic said Friday, laughing. 'But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something that our sport needs, no doubt. I'm sure that we're going to see them lifting the big trophies quite often.' ___ AP tennis:
Fox Sports
37 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Reports: Bayern agrees deal with Leverkusen to take Tah to Club World Cup
Associated Press MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich has reportedly agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to take Germany defender Jonathan Tah to the Club World Cup. Kicker magazine and other media outlets reported Saturday that Bayern, which had announced Tah's signing 'without a transfer fee' on May 29, has agreed to pay Leverkusen up to 4 million euros ($4.6 million) for the player to take a full part in the Club World Cup starting in the United States on June 14. Tah's contract with Leverkusen ran to the end of June, meaning he could only join Bayern on a free transfer from July 1 – unless the clubs came to an agreement beforehand. There was little goodwill between the clubs after Bayern's failed attempt to sign Tah – Leverkusen's captain – last season, when Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro lashed out against Bayern's Max Eberl. Bayern's public pursuit of Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this season further inflamed tensions between the rival clubs. Any agreement to let Tah join Bayern before his Leverkusen contract ends would suggest pragmatism has won out at Leverkusen. Real Madrid set the precedent by paying a reported fee of up to 10 million euros ($11.4 million) to get England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his Liverpool contract one month before it was due to expire so he could play at the Club World Cup, rather than waiting to sign him with a transfer fee. Bayern will also need to reach agreement with Hoffenheim if it wants to take Tom Bischof to the tournament. Leverkusen faces a summer of rebuilding following Xabi Alonso's departure as coach, Tah and wing back Jeremie Frimpong 's departures for Bayern and Liverpool, respectively, and Wirtz's expected transfer to Liverpool. Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka suggested Friday he would be open to a switch amid reported interest from AC Milan, a change from his previous position. Leverkusen hired former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag to replace the Real Madrid-bound Alonso, while it has also signed highly rated teenager Ibrahim Maza from second-division club Hertha Berlin, and 21-year-old defender Tim Oermann from relegated Bochum before promptly loaning him to Austrian champion Sturm Graz. It also loaned promising midfielder Francis Onyeka to Bochum for next season in the second division. ___ AP soccer: recommended
New York Times
38 minutes ago
- New York Times
Cristiano Ronaldo says he won't be at Club World Cup, despite receiving ‘plenty of offers'
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will almost certainly not play at this summer's Club World Cup, despite receiving multiple offers to do so. Ronaldo is contracted to Saudi Pro League (SPL) side Al Nassr, but his deal with the Public Investment Fund-owned club expires at the end of June. Al Nassr did not qualify for the Club World Cup, which begins on June 14, with Al Hilal the SPL's sole representative. Advertisement The 40-year-old could have moved to a team competing at the tournament in the United States, after FIFA gave nations the option of introducing an extra transfer window from June 1-10. There is also a mid-tournament registration window around the turn of the month. Given his expiring contract with Al Nassr, it had been speculated that one of the 32 clubs taking part in the first expanded edition of the Club World Cup may look to sign Ronaldo ahead of the competition. FIFA president Gianni Infantino added to the speculation when he said there were 'discussions' and Ronaldo 'might play' for a team at the tournament in an interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed last month. Discussing Lionel Messi competing in the event with his MLS club Inter Miami, Infantino then added: 'And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.' 'There have been a lot of conversations, but there are certain things that I see as making sense and not making sense,' Ronaldo said at a news conference on Saturday ahead of Portugal's Nations League final against Spain, via Record. 'You can't go to everything, you have to think short, medium and long term. I've pretty much made up my mind not to go to the Club World Cup, but I've had plenty of offers.' Ronaldo's fellow multiple Ballon d'Or winner and former La Liga rival Messi will be at the Club World Cup, after his Inter Miami side qualified in the spot awarded to the host nation by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield. Asked about potentially playing with Messi, 37, at the end of their careers, Ronaldo said: 'You never know. You know I have a lot of affection for Argentina, my wife is Argentinian. Advertisement 'You can never say, 'I won't drink from this water', but it's difficult. I want to go to Argentina, I have a lot of affection for the Argentinians and for Messi. We were rivals for many years, for 15 years. I used to translate for him at the galas, I'm very fond of him, he's always respected me and I him.' Ronaldo's 137th goal for Portugal was the winner in last Wednesday's 2-1 Nations League semi-final victory against Germany, while Spain beat France 5-4 in their semi-final on Thursday. Sunday's final takes place at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena at 8pm BST/3pm ET. Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United in December 2022 and has scored 99 goals in 111 matches for the Saudi Arabian side. ()
