How David Alaba’s silent exit could transform Real Madrid more than anyone expected
The former Bayern Munich star has faded from Madrid’s plans, but his departure may quietly reshape the club’s next era.
David Alaba is quietly living through what appear to be his final weeks as a Real Madrid player.
The Austrian defender arrived in Madrid in 2021 after Sergio Ramos’ departure, stepping into one of the biggest roles in world soccer. Alongside Éder Militão, he quickly formed a center back partnership that delivered immediate results. Real Madrid won both LaLiga and the Champions League in 2021-22, with Alaba playing at an elite level throughout the campaign.
One image from that unforgettable European run has already become part of club folklore: Alaba celebrating Madrid’s comeback against Paris Saint-Germain by wildly swinging one of the white security chairs from the sideline as the Santiago Bernabéu erupted around him.
He left Bayern Munich as a free agent to begin a new chapter in Spain, and at first, everything could hardly have gone better.
The injury that changed everything
But midway through his second season, everything unraveled.
Alaba suffered a torn ACL, a devastating injury made even worse by cartilage damage in his knee. The setback completely altered the trajectory of his Madrid career.
It took him more than a year to return to the field, and by then, he no longer looked like the same player.
In his first season with Madrid, Alaba logged more than 4,000 minutes across all competitions. This season, he has barely crossed 400. Last year, he failed to reach 600.
Since the injury, he has become a peripheral figure, far removed from the dynamic defender Madrid originally signed, a versatile player capable of excelling at center back, left back, or defensive midfield because of his composure and technical quality on the ball.
And fittingly, his exit now seems destined to happen almost entirely in silence.
Alaba has rarely spoken publicly in recent months and has not given notable interviews, seemingly aware of where things stand. There has also been little reporting about his next move.
As a child, he supported Galatasaray, though given his current physical limitations, even a move to Turkey might not be straightforward anymore. The Turkish league has grown increasingly competitive in recent years following major investment and high-profile signings.
Real Madrid clears a massive salary off the books
Alaba managed to start back-to-back league games this season against Osasuna and Getafe, but both matches ended in defeat for Madrid, and the performances reinforced the growing sense that he can no longer operate at the highest level.
He has made only occasional appearances lately. One came in Seville at La Cartuja against Real Betis, when he played the final 15 minutes. Neither he nor Madrid looked comfortable, and he ultimately watched Betis score a dramatic late equalizer.
Still, his departure will provide Madrid with one major benefit: financial flexibility.
When Alaba arrived after Ramos’ exit, he effectively inherited the legendary captain’s salary. He reportedly earns around $14 million net per season, which translates to nearly $29.5 million gross annually, making him one of the highest-paid players in the squad.
For a club preparing to refresh its defense, removing that salary from the payroll opens significant room to pursue a new center back profile this summer.
Even ahead of El Clásico, with Madrid dealing with defensive injuries and uncertainty, Alaba is not considered a realistic option for the starting lineup.
And so his Real Madrid story appears set to end the same way much of it unfolded in recent years: quietly.
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