Xabi Alonso Refuses to Engage with Yamal's Real Madrid Jibe
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso brushes off Lamine Yamal's comments, emphasizing the intensity of Sunday's El Clasico match against Barcelona. Alonso prioritizes the game over engaging in verbal sparring.
“It has many ingredients for us to play well, for us to enjoy it. And that’s what excites us the most, the biggest incentive for tomorrow...”
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso brushed off Lamine Yamal's comments about his team, choosing instead to focus on Sunday's crucial La Liga match against Barcelona. Alonso emphasized the significance of the game, given Real Madrid's two-point lead over Barca, and highlighted the team's preparation and determination.
Alonso's measured response contrasts with Yamal's provocative remarks, made during a Kings League program appearance alongside former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. The 18-year-old forward compared Real Madrid to Porcinos, a Kings League team, stating, “Of course! Yes, they cheat, they complain...” Alonso's refusal to engage suggests he's prioritizing the match over public debate.
The El Clasico showdown is set to be an intense and competitive match, with both teams looking to make a statement. Real Madrid are seeking to reclaim their dominance in big matches, having suffered heavy defeats to Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign. Barcelona, meanwhile, are looking to continue their strong form, having beaten Real Madrid four consecutive times across three competitions last season.
Xabi Alonso was bombarded with questions about Lamine Yamal's comments, made during a Kings League program with Gerard Pique, where the 18-year-old Barcelona forward claimed Real Madrid “cheat and complain.” Alonso, however, chose to sidestep the controversy.
Instead of engaging with Yamal's remarks, Alonso emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, highlighting the need for his team to be prepared and focused on the pitch. Alonso's measured response underscored Real Madrid's intent to let their performance speak for itself, rather than getting drawn into verbal sparring.
🚨 Xabi Alonso: “Lamine Yamal’s statements? I will not get into that. What matters is how we play tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/CHNCPdQFUD
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 25, 2025
Alonso's response to Yamal's comments was consistent, repeating his stance that what matters most is how his team performs on the pitch. He expressed his excitement for the match, citing the special nature of El Clasico and the energy of the stadium as key motivators for the team.
“Let's focus on the game,” Alonso said firmly, declining to elaborate further on Lamine Yamal's comments. His response underscored his team's readiness to take on Barcelona, without getting drawn into off-field controversies.
“It’s an important match... important enough,” he said. “It has many ingredients for us to play well, for us to enjoy it. And that’s what excites us the most, the biggest incentive for tomorrow.”
Visibly irritated, Xabi Alonso's tone became more direct as the question was raised for the third time. “Are we going back to that?” he asked. “What I have in my head is that it's going to be an intense and competitive match.” His response underscored his desire to shift the focus to the upcoming game rather than engage in discussions about Lamine Yamal's comments.
“No, I’m not going to get into that. There have been a lot of statements from people in Barcelona and I can't comment on them all. For us, the important thing is the pitch, what happens on the pitch. Where we’ve come from and what lies ahead. That's what concerns me most and what we’ve been working on.”
“We have to be prepared because there will be moments for everything. The players have to have the necessary adrenaline. I’m not thinking about other consequences.”
Xabi Alonso is determined to use El Clasico to restore Real Madrid's reputation in high-stakes matches. After heavy defeats to Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid, Alonso sees the match against Barcelona as an opportunity for his team to prove themselves.
Real Madrid's last encounters with Barcelona were dismal, with the Catalan side winning four consecutive matches across three competitions. Barcelona's victories included a 4-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu and a 5-2 win in the Super Cup final, adding to Real Madrid's motivation to turn the tide.
“The match has a special flavour and is the most important one right now,” Alonso said when asked about the pressure to perform. “There will be similar situations, but it is completely different (from last season). We want to maximise our strengths.
“An El Clasico is special. The first one in this project. We need the stadium to have the energy of big matches, to push us forward. Looking ahead to tomorrow, we believe we are in good shape, both mentally and in terms of our football.”
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