Today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 9:00 PM, Real Madrid will play its first-ever match in the Club World Cup (who knows, maybe we’ll remember this moment years from now) against Al-Hilal. The match will be broadcast on DAZN and Telecinco in Spain.
Yesterday, Xabi Alonso gave his first press conference as Real Madrid’s coach ahead of a match. He analyzed the game and especially commented on the club’s current situation following his arrival. Since this is a World Cup, journalists from all over were present—Argentinians asked about Mastantuono, Brazilians asked about Rodrygo, Vinicius, and Endrick. He also addressed Mbappé’s fever and whether he’ll be able to play, among many other topics:
“We’ve been working for several days now. We’ll be better positioned and everything will work more smoothly. We need to understand where we are, keep possession, and recover the ball by staying compact as a team. We’ve focused a lot on that. I’ve sensed that the players are motivated after closing one chapter. There are new faces, and the timing is great for everyone. I can say a lot now, but tomorrow the rock and roll begins—the moment of truth.”
“Nowadays, balance, commitment, and having everyone involved in all phases of the game is crucial. Shorter distances and staying compact will help us a lot. We’ll try to be as effective as possible, and hopefully by the end of the tournament, we’ll be a better team than we were at the start. The matches will teach us many things, and tomorrow is the starting point. We’ll see where we end up.”
What should not be lacking tomorrow?
“Hunger to win, to compete, and to try to play well. Pride, defending the badge, and team commitment. The team already has that, and we’ll try to add some nuances. We need to play like a team.”
Are you the favorites?
“Any competition that Real Madrid plays in, it can be among the contenders to win. We came here with that intention. Right now, we’re not thinking about the final. Everything will come in time. We want to take steps first and feel like we’re building a team and understanding how we want to compete and play. Tomorrow is the starting point, and we’ll surely be lacking things. We must not get frustrated and just keep improving.”
Al-Hilal
“We have to prepare for the game as best as possible. The opponent will be tough, but we need to focus on ourselves. We don’t know how they’ll play because Inzaghi hasn’t debuted yet. It’s a team with lots of quality and good players. They have a top-level coach who played in the Champions League final. It’s a big challenge for us.”
His first days
“Starting this project is incredibly exciting, and the timing is great for everyone. I’m happy to have spent this time with them because we’re going to make progress in many areas. We’re eager. It’s good to train, but you want to see the team in action. The game will tell us many things, and many of the things we want to implement will take time.”
Bellingham
“He can cover a lot of ground, but he needs to start from the right position. He has the soul of a midfielder and the quality to get into the box. Starting in the right spot will help both him and the team because he has great abilities.”
Mbappé
“He was feeling a bit better today, but not well enough. It’s very hot, and it was best that he didn’t train. We’ll wait until the last minute and decide tomorrow morning. He’s a more dynamic forward—not a typical striker who stays in the box, but still a No. 9 who scores many goals.”
High temperatures
“I’m not worried at all—it’s just the way it is. It’s something I can’t control, even though it’s very influential. We have to accept it and adapt. We need to handle it well.”
The squad
“Day-to-day is excellent because the individual quality is incredible. Now we need to work. I deeply value and respect what was done before. We’re starting a new chapter and will work in our own way. There’s a very solid foundation, and we’ll build on it.”
Injured players
“Rüdiger made a huge effort during the season and a big effort to recover. He’ll be the first to return. If all goes well, he’ll be in the squad for the second match. We need to be patient with the others. Camavinga is progressing faster than we expected. Alaba, Carvajal, and Militão need more time.”
Rodrygo
“The end of the season wasn’t easy for him, but taking time off and skipping international duty helped him reset. We’ve spoken since day one, and I see he’s eager to contribute and enjoy himself on the pitch. He can offer us a lot.”
Ceballos
“We talk on a daily basis. He’s a very intelligent player. He loves football and we’ve shared some small conversations, even if not a long one. We’ve talked about what the team can be like, and I’m very happy with him.”
Mastantuono
“He’s a kid with a fantastic present and an incredible future. The maturity he shows on the field carries over off it too. I was impressed with our conversations—his ambition and maturity. Things don’t happen by chance. Today, River won 3–1, and the steps he’s taking have led to him joining us in August. He’ll be a very important addition. I saw ambition and confidence in him.”
Modrić
“We’ve always had a very good relationship. We trust each other to know what’s needed at any moment. I love the way he connects with the younger players. He’s a great influence, and we want to enjoy these four weeks we’ll spend together. He’s a legendary player in Real Madrid’s history. We want to get the most out of him until the very last day.”
Adapting young players
“The adaptation process to Madrid takes time. Even Luka, I remember, started slow in his first year and grew over time. It’s a natural process, and I’m sure they’ll contribute more and more.”
Right-back position
“For any coach, it’s an incredible privilege to have that level of players. Trent is more versatile, and we’re eager for Carvajal to return because of his personality and competitive level. Trent has made a big impact from day one, and it’s a nice problem to have—deciding who will play.”
Vini Jr.
“I didn’t know him before, but in ten seconds I recognized his personality and how he communicates with people. He’s very passionate, and you have to be close to him. I really like having that type of player. He has a big heart. That’s what I’ve felt these days.”
Hard Rock Stadium pitch
“I’ll check it out when we return. Matches have already been played here, and we hope it’s in good condition. Hopefully, they’ll water it a bit because of the heat.”
What have you liked about the start of the tournament?
“The Brazilian teams have shown a very high level. They’ll be tough opponents. This is something new for everyone, and we have a chance to make this competition great. Playing against teams from different countries makes this tournament really interesting. Sometimes we think there’s nothing outside of Europe, and that’s a big mistake. This is a chance to see where we really are.”