Xabi Alonso already has his visa for Saudi Arabia

Xabi Alonso has earned the right to be present at the Spanish Super Cup, which will be played in the first days of January. His visa for Saudi Arabia is already in progress. 

Halting the steady loss of points in time has been the former Bayer Leverkusen coach’s strongest argument for remaining in charge of Real Madrid’s bench. The improvement in play and overall feel has not fully met the expectations of the club’s executives, but three consecutive wins in La Liga and the Copa del Rey have at least ensured that the coach will be in Jeddah for the semifinal against Atlético de Madrid.

Alonso’s farewell in the press room after the game against Sevilla – delivering a clear message of “relax” to reporters when asked about his future – came alongside the club’s repeated reaffirmation of its confidence in his work.

Before facing the red-and-white side, Real Madrid must first return to competition against Betis. The game will be at the Santiago Bernabéu and will also serve to measure the team’s level of recovery after the week-long holiday the players will have enjoyed.

Doubts have not fully disappeared, but recent games have shown that the players are firmly behind their coach, which has acted as Alonso’s safe conduct for the time being. His task is clear – to find the right formula for improvement in the opening days of 2026 for a team that appears to have forgotten the promise shown at the start of the season.

From within the club, players have been strongly urged to show greater commitment, something the president himself underlined in his Christmas lunch speech. That loyalty to the badge must be immediate, not just on game day but in daily work, and it must go hand in hand with steering clear of any behavior unworthy of what Real Madrid represents.

At Valdebebas there remains confidence that the situation can be fully turned around. Betis and Atlético de Madrid will offer the chance to see whether the desired response finally appears on the horizon. Hope has not been lost that this team and this coach can turn everything around, especially with Real Madrid still alive in every competition.