Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso was born in November 1981 in Tolosa, Spain. The player’s distinctive feature is excellent kicking skills and powerful shot, which enables him to display masterful direct free kicks and score goals from really long distances. Moreover, his sophisticated shot helps him to pass with high accuracy, which makes him a unique playmaker and a true gift for his attack partners. That is why he is greatly appreciated in Real Madrid and the Spain national team.

Xabi Alonso comes from a very famous football family. His father played for a number of best Spanish clubs, his brothers became professional footballers as well. One of his brothers even became a professional referee. Thus, Xabi’s future vocation was determined already when a child. Alonso is an alumnus of the Real Sociedad football academy and he played his first match in 2000 namely at this club.

Next season Alonso was on a six-month loan and having returned he began to work out so as to win back his place in the main squad. In the 2002/03 season he managed to prove his class and talent as much due to his key displays the team managed to finish second in La Liga only behind Real Madrid. At the age of 22 Alonso appeared on the pitch in a friendly game for the Spain national team.

In 2004, Liverpool F.C. began to watch him intently and soon managed to lure the player on their team. Alonso proved to be a top class player in the very first season with the club. In one of the matches he scored a goal from a 60-meter distance. In his game style he always tried to emulate the team’s legend – Steven Gerrard – who is an attacking midfielder as well, shots excellent direct free kicks and passes splendidly. In the famous UEFA Champions League final versus AC Milan Xabi Alonso scored the third goal from the penalty spot.

In 2009, during the summer transfer window when Real Madrid spent huge sums to buy famous players, the list of the club’s priorities also included Alonso. The talks continued for too long as Real Madrid owners did not want to pay the announced 35 million pounds and Liverpool’s coach did not want to lose one of the key players being aware there was no one to make up for him. The issue was resolved only after Xabi himself asked for the transfer and the owners accommodated his needs. The transfer price was reduced to 30 million pounds and the Madrid club management agreed for the deal.

Alonso is married and has two kids. He reported several times during press conferences that his family was his greatest accomplishment.