“The First Day Xabi Felt the Locker Room’s Weight” – Manu Carreño Reacts to Real Madrid’s Club World Cup Humiliation
In the wake of Real Madrid’s shocking 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals, Spanish journalist Manu Carreño delivered a stinging postmortem that cut to the heart of the problem: Xabi Alonso’s first real crisis as Madrid manager.
“I think today is the first day Xabi Alonso could feel what Real Madrid’s locker room is like when it comes to deciding the line-up,” Carreño said on El Larguero.
For Carreño, this wasn’t just a heavy loss — it was a defining moment. The day Alonso came face-to-face with the brutal realities of managing a star-stacked squad where tactical purity often collides with locker room politics.
Tactical Gamble or Dressing Room Compromise?
The main point of contention was Alonso’s decision to start Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Gonzalo together — three explosive attackers who, on the day, failed to click.
“I don’t know if the idea of starting the three up front today is truly the footballing idea Xabi Alonso believes in,” Carreño remarked, hinting that Alonso may have been influenced more by names than by strategy.
Injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold forced reshuffling, but it was the positional adjustments that drew fire:
- Vinícius Jr., already struggling for form, was moved to the right wing, where he was largely invisible.
- Gonzalo, one of Madrid’s breakout stars of the tournament, was played out of position, neutering his impact.
“Vinícius is already struggling on the left. On the right, it’s as if he didn’t exist,” Carreño said bluntly.
The Ego Dilemma: Who Do You Bench?
Beyond tactics, Carreño hinted at deeper tensions — the politics of managing stars:
“Do I bench Mbappé? Do I bench Vinícius? Or do I bench Gonzalo, who’s been outstanding? If you bench him after scoring four goals, what message are you sending to the rest?”
At a club like Real Madrid, where prestige often dictates minutes, Alonso now faces the tightrope walk that defined his predecessors: balancing merit with status.
Defensive Lapses Expose Deeper Issues
While the front line lacked cohesion, defensive errors piled on the misery:
- A lapse from Marco Asensio, playing out of his preferred position.
- A rare mistake from Antonio Rüdiger, though Carreño was quick to defend the German:
“Rüdiger was hit on his supporting foot. Anyone can make a mistake.”
But the broader implication was clear: Madrid still has serious structural issues, especially in transition and defensive coordination, when pressed at elite intensity.
Alonso’s Turning Point?
Despite the humiliation, Carreño struck a reflective note, suggesting this defeat might ultimately serve as Alonso’s wake-up call:
“This World Cup is the beginning of Xabi Alonso. Although he’ll want to draw a line between this and what’s to come.”
Madrid’s summer overhaul is expected to accelerate. Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, and potentially other fringe players may be moved on. Reinforcements — particularly in midfield depth and full-back areas — are on Alonso’s wishlist.
The Takeaway
Real Madrid’s Club World Cup exit was more than just a bad result — it was a harsh introduction to the political, tactical, and psychological gauntlet that awaits any manager brave enough to steer the ship at the Bernabéu.
Xabi Alonso has now felt the true weight of the job. How he responds could define his legacy — and Real Madrid’s trajectory in the post-Ancelotti era.
