Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has confessed he misses the Spanish club. In an interview with GQ magazine, the Bayern Munich man said: “I had five very good years there in which I felt valued and respected; of course I missed it.”
The Basque footballer admitted he is happy now at Bayern, although he also praised Real Madrid: “It is a great team. They have great players in all positions, with great experience. Despite their bad start to the season, I’m sure they will fight for all titles at the end.”
Asked about Rafa Benitez’s dismissal, Alonso backed the manager, whom he knows well from their years at Liverpool: “Benitez is a methodical, hard-working and analytical coach. If he was not able to give the team his personal touch, that is a different thing.”
Alonso was also asked to compare Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, as he has been managed by both. “Both are pure leaders, and charismatic people who know how to convince people and get them involved. Each has their own personality, but they are similar in many other things. They are both very emotional, for example. They know how to transmit their knowledge of football,” he told GQ.
