David Alaba, not mincing words: His goal for the final year at Real Madrid

Real Madrid is still adjusting to the arrival of Xabi Alonso. The Tolosa coach has directly intervened in the first team, changing the structure and hierarchy of Santiago Bernabéu locker room, with the goal of getting back on the winning track as soon as possible. Some of these changes have affected the playing time that several footballers can expect.

One of the most affected in this regard is David Alaba. The Austrian "4" has suffered several injuries, even during the Club World Cup celebration, which have significantly reduced his ability to take part in the competitive pace of this season. Despite this adverse circumstance, Real Madrid's "4" has made it clear that he wants to get minutes on the field.

He reportedly expressed this shortly before the start of the September international break. His recovery has progressed notably, allowing him to have some chances to "play 90 minutes with the national team, although I don't know if it would make sense. In the next matches, you'll be able to see how I am", he said regarding his current situation in an interview with "Sport1".

This is not the only message that David Alaba, whose contract with Real Madrid ends in the summer of 2026, has sent to Xabi Alonso. In addition to denying that he was looking for a way out of the club at the end of the Club World Cup, the defender warns: "my goal is to play and be on the field".

Making the most of his time

So far, he hasn't achieved it. Although the Basque coach has found versatility for him as a midfielder, David Alaba's tally remains at zero after the first three league matches. The rotations that are inevitably approaching due to the Champions League, according to the words of the Tolosa coach himself, could be his chance to fulfill his "goal".

It remains to be seen if he does so from his natural position: that of center-back. In that position, there is only one untouchable player, Dean Huijsen, who has so far been accompanied by the two best "escuderos" Real Madrid currently has. Both Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger, although more so the verdeamarelo defender than the German "22", are liked by Xabi Alonso.

In addition to that pair of footballers in top form, David Alaba should also overcome the competition from a Raúl Asencio who hasn't played this season. The inconsistency shown by the new "17" merengue during the Club World Cup may have cost him his former status as a starter, a responsibility that has now passed to Éder Militão.

Even though David Alaba has several footballers ahead of him, he is convinced that Xabi Alonso will give him the opportunities he has subtly demanded with those statements before the break. That's why the center-back is finalizing his recovery with Austria, already thinking about the first minutes of his last year as a Real Madrid player.