Spanish · Tolosa, Spain · Born 25 November 1981The complete deep-lying playmaker — World Cup, two Euros and a Champions League with Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso scored the crucial equaliser in Liverpool's 2005 Champions League comeback against AC Milan, won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich — and then, as manager of Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24, oversaw the first unbeaten top-flight league season in European football since Arsenal's Invincibles in 2003-04. Real Sociedad developed him before Liverpool paid £10.5 million for him in 2004. His Liverpool years produced the 2005 Champions League — he scored a crucial goal in the famous comeback against AC Milan from 3-0 down. Real Madrid paid £30 million for him in 2009. His five Madrid seasons produced two La Liga titles and the 2014 Champions League. He won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 — part of the most successful international team of the modern era. His passing range, defensive positioning and the intelligence with which he directed play from deep midfield made him the model for the modern regista. He moved to Bayern Munich in 2014 and won three Bundesliga titles. After retirement he began coaching — leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2023-24, the first undefeated top-flight league season in European football history since Arsenal's Invincibles in 2003-04. He won the Champions League in 2018 in an ambassadorial role. His coaching career is now as celebrated as his playing one.
Orchestrating Liverpool's 2005 Champions League comeback from 3-0 down
How They Played
Deep-lying playmaker with exceptional long passing, vision and tactical intelligence
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest deep-lying playmakers in football history
Career Honours
- Champions League 2x (2005, 2014)
- World Cup (2010)
- Euro 2x (2008,2012)
- La Liga 2x
- Copa del Rey 2011
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Sociedad B | 1999–2000 | — | 39 | 2 | #14 |
| Real Sociedad | 1999–2004 | £10.5m | 114 | 9 | #14 |
| Eibar | 2000–2001 | loan | 14 | 0 | — |
| Liverpool | 2004–2009 | £10.5m | 143 | 15 | — |
| Real Madrid | 2009–2014 | £30m | 158 | 4 | — |
| Bayern Munich | 2014–2017 | — | 79 | 5 | — |
 Spain | — | — | 114 | 16 | — |
Spanish Athletes