Xabi Alonso has said his decision to leave Real Madrid for Bayern Munich has been the hardest he’s ever had to make.
The 32-year-old leaves the Santiago Bernabeu after five years in the Spanish capital in which time he helped the club win La Liga, two Copas del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, the European Super Cup, and most importantly, the Champions League – the club’s coveted 10th European Cup.
Speaking at a press conference shortly after his 10-million-euro switch to the German champions was announced, Alonso said it was not an easy decision, but that he wanted a new challenge and to be honest with Madridistas and club boss Carlo Ancelotti.
“I wanted to be honest with myself and Real Madrid. You need to know when to say goodbye and this was the best time. I will always be part of the Madrid family,” he told journalists gathered at the press room in the stadium.
He denied reports his decision to quit the Spanish giants was because of the arrival of Toni Kroos. Rather, having won the Champions League, he said he felt he had achieved what he wanted to at the club, and felt he needed to test himself in a new environment.
“Madrid have made a great signing. The two of us would have played a lot. This is not a tantrum. This decision has been well thought out and evaluated. It was quite a recent interest (from Bayern), in the last two weeks. After winning La Decima I felt that I needed to make a fresh start,” Alonso revealed.
