Rodrygo Goes has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City amid rumours he is not in Alonso's starting XI plans. Despite leaving his No.11 on the bench against Osasuna, with Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz both starting, Alonso was firm in his pledge to keep the former Santos star in his ranks.

In response, club president Florentino Perez hired Alonso and sanctioned around €180million (£155m; $210.5m) to be spent on new players, including defenders Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with exciting young Argentine playmaker Franco Mastantuono.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has clarified why Rodrygo was left on the bench during Los Blancos’ narrow 1-0 win over Osasuna in their LaLiga opener on Tuesday night. The Brazilian forward, who has been the subject of summer transfer speculation,

Trent Alexander-Arnold divided opinion among the Liverpool supporters when he decided to leave for Real Madrid this summer. The 26-year-old cut ties with his boyhood club at the end of the season after announcing his decision to move to Spain upon the expiry of his contract.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso appeared most happy with match-winner Kylian Mbappe and debutant Franco Mastantuono following his first La Liga game in charge. Their 1-0 win over Osasuna was also