Squad: Xavi Alonso (14)

Xavi Alonso

Born into a family known for its football prowess, Xabi Alonso came into this world on 25 November 1981 in the Basque town of Tolosa. Following in the footsteps of his father, Periko Alonso, Xabi lived in Barcelona until he was six before moving to San Sebastian, where he began his career as a footballer.

Xabi Alonso’s youth career began at Antiguoko, where he quickly stood out for his football prowess. Real Sociedad soon came calling, and his progress through the ranks culminated in his first team debut in Copa del Rey action against Logroñes. He debuted in Spain’s top flight in 1998.

Prior to the 2004/05 season, Alonso completed a switch to Liverpool, where he dazzled Kopites with his incredible vision and knack for the pass. His powerful long-range shot converted him into one of Europe’s best centre midfielders.

Xabi Alonso has featured for Spain since debuting in 2003, but his career highs were no doubt the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup won by Spain.

An eye for the pass, speed in distributing, vision for the game, a powerful shot… just some of the attributes of the Basque footballer who is a mainstay in the Real Madrid midfield.

Data

• Place of Birth: Tolosa, Spain
• Date of Birth: 25/11/1981
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 79 kg
• Height: 182.7 cm
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• Copa del Rey: 2011
• UEFA Champions League: 2005
• European Super Cup: 2005
• FA Cup: 2006
• Community Shield: 2006
• European Championship: 2008
• Bronze Medal, Confederations Cup: 2009
• World Cup: 2010

Team Murcia vs Real Madrid: Goals for hope

TEAM MURCIA 2 - REAL MADRID 2

Team Murcia (coached by Jose Antonio Camacho) and Real Madrid did their best to entertain the crowd. Mourinho used regular starters such as Casillas, Ramos, Arbeloa and Ozil, as well as Castilla players like Pablo Gil and Mandi in his initial lineup. Murcia native Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales also played and were the most active Madridistas in the first half. Granero had the most chances on goal, but both his shots were saved by Andres. Toche had Team Murcia's clearest chance on the 25-minute mark, but sent the ball over the crossbar.

Team Murcia vs Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Pepe and youth teamer Carvajal came on after half-time and helped make the Whites' game more vertical. The first goal in the match came from a combination of passes between Benzema and Xabi Alonso, after which the French striker sent the ball into the back of the net from inside the box (48'). Team Murcia also worked hard for a strike and, five minutes later, managed to draw the score with an own goal from Pepe, who unfortunately defeated Dudek as he was trying to head out a cross by Aquino. Team Murcia scored again through Meca, who headed in a free-kick in the 65th minute. Real Madrid responded swiftly: Pedro Leon served an excellent pass towards the box for Kaka, who then assisted Cristiano Ronaldo in the equaliser.

The final minutes of the game saw former Madridista, and current Real Madrid Team Delegate, Chendo wear the Real Madrid number '2' shirt and the captain's armband once more. Chendo appeared in some plays for Real Madrid and committed a foul. Murcia stadium chanted his name when people saw him leave the bench. He played his last official match on June 30, 1998 after having played sixteen seasons and get eighteen titles.

Chendo played the last ten minutes of the match

Xabi Alonso offered his thoughts on charity match shortly after it concluded: "This kind of gesture during hard times can cheer people up and bring them hope. We lend our support by playing football, which is the best way we know how. With this little bit of help and the vitality and enthusiasm of this city, they will overcome this. This was a nice, entertaining match and we all had fun playing".

Granero also talked about the game: "The Madrid tries to help whenever it can, but today we have to thank because there have been many people in Lorca and we thank all who have come and fill this stadium because their help will be very important".

Summary

Stadium: Nueva Condomina
Attendance: 31,000
Goals: 0-1. Min. 48: Benzema. 1-1. Min. 53: Pepe (o.g.). 2-1. Min. 65: Meca. 2-2. Min. 68: Cristiano.

Real Madrid Girlfriends: Nagore Aramburu (14)

After more than eight years of relationship, the Real Madrid midfielder, Xabi Alonso, and his wife, Nagore Aramburu, still enjoying their life in the capital of Spain with their two sons, Jon and Anne. As mother, Nagore confesses that the time is just not enough: "With kids you never know when you will be able to do things", she says. However, she gets to find time to continue her education.

Xabi Alonso's Wife: Nagore Aramburu

She recently completed a photography course and has returned to classical ballet classes, a discipline that left during her adolescence: "It's beautiful, but with too many sacrifices. I remember that when I was a little girl I went to a ballet school in Germany but I did not like the atmosphere and I left it. Now that my children get older, I would return to my old ways".

As if this was not enough, she claims to be doing a correspondence course at the University of Deusto on "Entrepreneurship and management skills": "Who knows, maybe tomorrow, I can do some business. Fashion attracts me a lot of. Years ago I worked with a tailor in his shop in San Sebastian, Auzmendi. That was craft. But people began to demand more fashionable signatures, Marni and Balenciaga style. And he had to incorporate them".

Xabi Alonso and Nagore Aramburu

Nagore Aramburu remembers how they met: "It was more than eight years ago, we were of the same ring and one night he asked me my mobile phone. I thought he had forgotten his, but he wanted it for something else: he made ​​a call to his cell phone to register my number. The next day he called me, we went to dinner at a lovely restaurant in San Sebastian and then to a jazz club".

And so began a relationship that has lasted until today. Nagore does not regret the years spent in Liverpool. "It was the best choice I made​​. The relationship took a further step. I was working on the production team of a movie, I packed and left it all. For Xabi, play there was something very special. The connection between the fans and team. Even in bad times, the supporters do not whistle the players, they sing You'll Never Walk Alone".

League (Day 25): Players reactions

CASILLAS: "WE WERE SIMPLY UNLUCKY"

Iker Casillas

"We were simply unlucky. This is a setback because we weren't able to win. We tried hard and had our chances, especially in the second half. We also hit the post, but the ball didn't want to go int. That's football for you. We controlled the match, but if the ball doesn't go in, there is nothing we can do."

"Two matches later we find ourselves in the same situation. We must continue playing hard. There is no other option. Now me must focus on Malaga and not pay attention to what our rivals are doing. We don't control our own destiny, but we must win all our matches if we are to stand a chance of winning La Liga."

"This team has always fought and it will continue to do so until the end."

RAMOS: "THERE IS NO REASON TO BE UPSET WITH THE TEAM"

"There is no reason to be upset with the team. We went out their to win from the very start. We dominated the match in such a way that we deserved to win, but we were unable to score. We capitalized on the open space we had in the second half and we were more mobile, but we didn't score. It leaves a bad taste in our mouths after such an effort. La Liga is not lost; there are still a lot of matches left."

XABI ALONSO: "WE NEED TO WIN A LOT OF MATCHES"

"It's a shame. We had our chances, but the ball didn't want to go in. They are two valuable points that we are leaving here. We tried it every which way. You cannot lay blame on the team because we fought until the final whistle. Winning La Liga won't be easy, but a lot can change in football and we will not give up. We need to win a lot of matches."

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