Kylian Mbappé reacts to Xabi Alonso’s shock Real Madrid exit

Kylian Mbappé has led the tributes to Xabi Alonso after the ex-Spain midfielder was surprisingly replaced as Real Madrid head coach by former teammate Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been managing Castilla, the club’s B team.

Mbappé’s Xabi Alonso tribute

“It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you,” Mbappé wrote in English on Instagram. “Thank you for giving me the confidence since Day 1. I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for your next chapter.”

Real Madrid squad stunned by Alonso departure

The entire Real Madrid squad has reportedly been left stunned by Alonso’s departure after only eight months in charge. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach returned to the Bernabéu in May ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup, in which Los Blancos were eliminated in the semifinals.

Although Alonso’s overall record is probably better than you might think, there was a feeling throughout his time in charge that he was struggling to get his team to perform at its best.

How Mbappé thrived under Alonso

That can’t be said about Mbappé, who has been in scintillating form under Alonso. The French superstar has netted 29 goals in just 25 games in 2024-25, including nine goals in five Champions League fixtures. In his last LaLiga appearance of 2025, the former PSG attacker matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record of 59 goals in a calendar year.

Arbeloa might be able to get more out of the team than Alonso, but he will do extremely well to get Mbappé to keep firing as prolifically.

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