Pérez Sends Clear Message To Real Madrid Squad After Xabi Alonso Axe
Sports Updated: 29 January 2026 16:50 EAT
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez reportedly held direct conversations with several first-team players following the dismissal of head coach Xabi Alonso, as the club moved to address internal concerns over performance and attitude.
According to reports from Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Pérez contacted a number of senior and emerging squad members to deliver a firm message focused on responsibility, professionalism and effort on the pitch.
The president is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with what the club hierarchy viewed as a lack of intensity and collective commitment during recent matches, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.
Sources indicate that Pérez urged the players to “fix their attitude” and show greater hunger and leadership, stressing that wearing the Real Madrid shirt demands maximum effort at all times.
Among the players reportedly contacted were Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono, all considered key figures in the club’s present and future plans.
Bellingham, in particular, was encouraged to assume a stronger leadership role on the pitch, with Pérez reminding him of the expectations placed on influential players at the club.
The talks were described as serious but constructive, with the president seeking accountability rather than assigning individual blame for the team’s struggles.
Pérez’s intervention came shortly after Real Madrid’s decision to part ways with Xabi Alonso, whose tenure ended amid inconsistent results and growing pressure following defeats in major competitions.
Alonso’s dismissal followed a disappointing Spanish Super Cup loss to rivals Barcelona, a result that intensified scrutiny of both tactical decisions and player performances.
In the aftermath, Álvaro Arbeloa was appointed head coach, tasked with restoring stability and reconnecting the squad with the club’s competitive identity.
The president’s direct involvement is seen as an unusual but deliberate move, underlining the seriousness with which Real Madrid’s leadership views the current situation.
While Real Madrid have not issued an official statement confirming the reported conversations, multiple media outlets have independently corroborated the claims.
The club traditionally avoids public discussion of internal matters, but the reports suggest a clear message from the top: standards must be upheld regardless of managerial changes.
As Real Madrid look to reset their season under new leadership, Pérez’s intervention highlights a broader effort to re-establish discipline, unity and the relentless mentality long associated with the club’s success.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD