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Madrid head coach Alonso called for his side to take the positives from the season and carry them on to the upcoming campaign.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso reacts during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between PSG and Real Madrid in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid were ousted from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 following their 0-4 defeat to PSG in the semifinal of the revamped edition of the tournament on Thursday.
Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso lauded the efforts of UEFA Champions League winners PSG, who have been dominant under the astute stewardship of Spaniard Enrique.
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“PSG are a team who have been built over time, whereas we are practically just beginning,” Alonso said following the defeat.
“We have lots of room for improvement. There are many things that we want to do better,” the 43-year-old explained.
“We have to be self-critical. This will tell us things for the future that will help us to compete at a much better level than we did today,” the Spaniard acknowledged.
Fabian Ruiz’s brace, and a goal each from Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos helped Luis Enrique’s men post a resounding win and secure their berth in the final of the revamped edition of the FIFA CWC.
“They are at a very high level and have been since the start of the knockout phase of the Champions League,” Alonso continued.
“They have shown it again here and we have to accept it — we are just beginning, learning things about where we want to go and how we are going to get there.”
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Alonso added that his unit will seek to take the positives from the campaign and carry it on in the upcoming season as the former Real Madrid midfielder looks to steer the Capital City giants to victory.
“This game is the last match of this season, not the start of the next one,” the former Bayer Leverkusen manager said.
“We will take positives away from this. We come away from here a better team and I am convinced this will help us start next season better,” Alonso added.
“In August the 2025/26 season begins. Things are going to be different. We are starting from scratch,” the Spanish gaffer assured.
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