An unexpected storm has shaken the foundations of the Real Madrid dressing room following the leak of a private conversation between president Florentino Pérez and the team’s current coach, Xabi Alonso. According to various internal sources, the Basque coach has forcefully demanded the immediate departure of forward Raúl Asencio, whose presence on the team he considers “unsustainable,” both sportingly and disciplinarily.
Tensions between Alonso and Asencio have been building in recent months, but it reportedly boiled over after the preseason friendly in the United States, where Asencio displayed a defiant attitude upon being substituted in the 63rd minute. Witnesses on the bench claim the player threw a water bottle against a wall and uttered disparaging remarks toward the coaching staff. Although the incident wasn’t captured on camera, it was enough for Alonso to make an irrevocable decision.
“REMOVE THIS PLAYER IMMEDIATELY. I don’t want to keep him in the squad one more day,” Xabi Alonso reportedly told the president directly, according to statements leaked by media close to the club. The reaction has caused a real earthquake in Valdebebas, not only because of the tone used, but also because of the firmness with which the manager expressed his rejection of the player.
Raúl Asencio, who arrived with high expectations after a promising season abroad, never fully integrated into Alonso’s playing plan. His performance in training has been inconsistent, and his appearances in matches have raised more questions than answers. Despite his natural talent, constant lapses in discipline, clashes with his teammates, and a seeming lack of commitment have soured his relationship with the coaching staff and parts of the dressing room.
Real Madrid’s board, for its part, finds itself in a delicate position. Terminating Asencio’s contract would entail a significant financial cost, estimated at more than €8 million in compensation. However, internal sources assure that Florentino Pérez is willing to accept the losses in order to preserve group harmony and fully support the coach, whose leadership has been key in the club’s new restructuring phase.
The fans’ reaction has been swift. On social media, the majority of Real Madrid fans have shown their support for Xabi Alonso, highlighting his steadfastness and commitment to discipline and team performance. Some have even called on the club to establish stricter rules to prevent such situations from recurring.
For the moment, Raúl Asencio has not issued any official statements. His agent is expected to hold an urgent meeting with the club’s top brass in the coming days to negotiate a negotiated exit, possibly to a club in La Liga or abroad. What is clear is that Asencio’s time at Real Madrid has come to an abrupt end, with no room for reconciliation.
Xabi Alonso’s decision marks a turning point in the management of the dressing room and sends a clear message: there is no room in his project for attitudes that run counter to the unity, professionalism, and excellence that Real Madrid demands.
