Spain

Crouch denied this, highlighting that Alonso’s passing capacity, alongside Gerrard, would outline Liverpool’s style of play. Alonso faced more competition for his place within the form of new arrival Mohamed Sissoko. However, Steven Gerrard’s injuries and Rafael Benítez’s favouring of a four–5–1 formation ensured Alonso’s place in the team. Alonso appeared in all of Liverpool’s games within the Champions League however the dominance shown in the earlier season had gone because the staff misplaced to Benfica in the knockout stage.

He made his worldwide debut for Spain in April 2003 in a 4–0 victory in opposition to Ecuador. While playing for Spain, Alonso won Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, and he also represented his country at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. On 23 June 2012, Alonso won his 100th cap for Spain within the quarter-ultimate of Euro 2012 in opposition to France; he celebrated the event by scoring both of Spain’s targets to ship them into the semi-finals. Following Spain’s failure to progress out of the group phases at the 2014 World Cup, Alonso retired from worldwide football on 27 August 2014. Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the principle staff of his house province Gipuzkoa.

Real Sociedad Ii Squad

His role in Liverpool’s five-man midfield role was assured, nevertheless, as Rafael Benítez regarded him as “a high class participant”, stating that Alonso had the ability to change video games and break down the opposition’s defence. Alonso made his 100th league appearance for Liverpool on 12 January 2008 against Middlesbrough. The summer time transfer window at Real Sociedad noticed the arrival of Alonso’s childhood pal Mikel Arteta. Arteta was ecstatic on the prospect of partnering Alonso in midfield but his excitement was short lived. Alonso was not picked for Real Sociedad’s pre-season friendlies, signalling that an offer by Liverpool was being handled significantly.

FC Bayern München midfielder Xabi Alonso has enjoyed an illustrious taking part in profession spanning 18 years, and with his retirement now announced, bundesliga.com takes a look again at one of many sport’s footballing greats. A full, consistent, hardworking and versatile midfielder, Alonso is considered top-of-the-line midfielders of his generation, and was effective both creatively and defensively. Due to his top, positioning, and physical traits, Xabi Alonso was also effective in the air, often contributing with headed objectives from set pieces when he advanced into extra offensive positions. He was at instances criticised, however, for sometimes committing rash challenges and for his tendency to lose his composure and choose up unnecessary playing cards for significantly onerous fouls. Moreover, in 2017, Pep Guardiola described Alonso as one of the best midfielders he had ever seen in his life.

Friday Beefcake: World Cup 2014!

Despite curiosity from La Liga champions Real Madrid, Alonso remained committed to Real Sociedad. Madrid failed to meet the £13 million price ticket that José Luis Astiazarán, the Real Sociedad president, had positioned on Alonso and the deal reached a stalemate. Alonso had other issues and targeted on worldwide duty with Spain at UEFA Euro 2004. Despite the fact that Alonso’s look at the match was brief, he caught the attention of retired footballer Jan Mølby, who was impressed along with his exact passing skills. Not solely did he play in his second European Cup ultimate, he additionally scored one other objective from inside his personal half in a match towards Newcastle United. Remarkably, it was his first Liverpool strike because the almost identical effort against Luton, and he stays the one trendy participant to attain consecutive membership objectives from beyond the half-method line.

• Spookily, the gent had placed £200 on the Reds number 14 scoring from his own half in the course of the season.
• Under the tutelage of John Toshack, Alonso’s captaincy marked a resurgence of form for Real Sociedad.
• On 21 September 2011, he played his one hundredth official recreation for Real Madrid within the zero–zero draw against Racing de Santander.
• Furthermore, Alonso scored his first goal for the team from a free kick to bring Liverpool forward of the opposition.

At the start of the 2000–01 season, Javier Clemente sent him to Segunda División group Eibar to gain expertise. Alonso’s father notably felt the transfer to the smaller membership improved him as a player. A fast turnover of managers, nevertheless, together with a two-month period with Periko Alonso in charge, left Real Sociedad in a dire scenario. By January 2001, Real Sociedad were backside of the league and its new manager, John Toshack, turned to the prodigious Alonso within the hope of reversing the group’s fortunes. In a shock transfer, the Welsh manager made the 20-12 months-old the staff captain, a position historically held by extra senior players.

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