The regular season is over for Real Madrid, but there is still one goal on the horizon that will mark the beginning of a new era for Xabi Alonso at the helm of the team. After a difficult final season for Carlo Ancelotti, who, one year after winning La Liga and the Champions League, ended his tenure with a poor season marked by a decline in performance that left the team without any titles. This is something that the Spanish coach can remedy as he starts his journey with energy and the Club World Cup on the horizon.
The Club World Cup challenge
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will begin work on June 9 with the aim of preparing in record time and with a skeleton squad for the Club World Cup. The Whites will travel to the United States on June 14 to begin competing in the group stage on the 18th. The new tournament follows the format of a conventional World Cup.
In the group stage, Real Madrid will face Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. On Sunday, June 22, also at 9 p.m., they will take on Pachuca at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Finally, Xabi Alonso’s side will play their third match on Friday, June 27, at 3 a.m. Spanish time against Salzburg at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The top two teams will qualify and go on to the round of 16 between June 28 and July 1. The quarter-finals will take place between July 4 and 5, the semi-finals on July 8 and 9, and the final on Sunday, July 13. That is where Real Madrid hopes to be, as it seeks to make history by winning the first title of the championship, which would be Xabi Alonso’s first major achievement at the helm of Real Madrid.
After the World Cup, Vinicius signs
There is no doubt that how things go in the World Cup will depend largely on the performance of Vinicius, who has not had his best season. A season marked by the player’s poor performance with a goal drought in recent weeks. It has also been marked by controversy and provocations, as well as arguments with his teammates over his lack of defensive commitment.
He has also been in the spotlight due to offers from Saudi Arabia. There was even talk of offers of 1 billion that the Brazilian would have used to negotiate a renewal that both the player and the club agreed to discuss after the Club World Cup.
The player has a contract until 2027, so both parties have time to take their time over the contract extension. During the World Cup, Vinicius has to step up and carry the team on his shoulders to win the title. This season, he will be one of the team’s four captains, which means he will have to mature and take on more and more responsibilities within the squad. The player has a conversation pending with Xabi Alonso, but the latter has already made it clear that he has ideas for him and Mbappé.
The Brazilian player, now focused on Ancelotti in Brazil, will sign the new contract after the Club World Cup. The Brazilian has reportedly demanded that his contract be extended until 2030 and that he be the highest-paid player on the squad, asking for a net salary of $30 million. What is clear is that both the player and his entourage want to continue with the white team beyond the million-dollar offers that may have arrived from Saudi Arabia.