“It was a pleasure playing for you”
Superstar Mbappé reacts to Alonso’s exit
01/12/2026 – 10:49 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Real Madrid has parted ways with coach Xabi Alonso. Superstar Kylian Mbappé pays tribute to the Spaniard with emotional words and thanks him for his trust.
Superstar Kylian Mbappé said goodbye to his former coach with emotional words after Xabi Alonso was fired from Real Madrid. “It was a short time but it was a pleasure playing for you and learning from you,” the French attacker wrote on Instagram, thanking the 44-year-old Spaniard for trusting me from day one.”
The Spanish record champions fired Alonso on Monday after the 2-3 defeat in the Supercup against FC Barcelona. Mbappé emphasized in his social media post that he would remember the Basque “as a coach who had clear ideas and knew a lot about football.” He also wished Alonso “good luck” for his “next chapter.”
Alonso only took over Real at the beginning of the season and became Carlo Ancelotti’s successor. In the 2023/2024 season he won the championship and DFB Cup double with Bayer Leverkusen.
In recent weeks there have been reports of a tense relationship between Alonso and parts of his team. There was talk of a “cold war” in the cabin. Superstars like Vinicius Júnior and Jude Bellingham are said to have been dissatisfied. Recently, however, there have been small signs of relaxation.
The dismissed coach will be succeeded by Álvaro Arbeloa, who previously looked after Real Madrid’s second team.