Xabi Alonso will utilise the FIFA Club World Cup as a crucial assessor his Real Madrid squad.
Alonso signed a three-year contract on his return to Madrid last month as the former midfielder aims to guide Los Blancos back to challenging for titles in 2025/26.
The squad head off to the USA ahead of the tournament start on June 14 with their first game set as June 18 against Al Hilal in Miami.
Ahead of major planned squad updates this summer, the club have already agreed two major transfers with Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold landing in Madrid, as club captain Luka Modric prepares to move on.
Alongside Modric’s departure, Alonso will be scanning through his options, to make calls on a host of players facing an uncertain future.
Brazil international Rodrygo Goes will travel to the USA, despite speculation over his place in Alonso’s plans, and the No.11 is eager to remain in the Spanish capital.
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Rodrygo transfer latest: Alonso sets fresh target
Amid the ongoing rumours over his future beyond this summer, Arsenal have reportedly emerged as a fresh transfer option for the 24-year-old, but his priority is to stay in Madrid.
The former Santos forward is aware of interest in him with an estimated transfer value of around £67m [£90m].
He ended the 2024/25 domestic season with 14 goals across all competitions – his lowest tally in three campaigns – as Kylian Mbappe netted 43.
Rumours of Rodrygo’s frustration at being overshadowed by Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham has propelled the exit talk, but he’s ready to prove his worth to Alonso.
As per reports from Marca, Rodrygo has indicated his desire to remain to Alonso and president Florentino Perez, but the Club World Cup will decide his fate.
Departing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti omitted him from his debut Brazil squad list, to aid his recovery from an persistent injury, with a crunch point approaching.
Real Madrid and Alonso want to see a ‘reaction’ in the USA, to show his readiness to adapt to the new regime, which effectively points at around a month to save his career in the Spanish capital.
Alonso will then weigh up the situation after the Club World Cup, and if he can recover the performance level of previous years his place will remain, but an unconvincing showing in North America could nudge him closer to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu exit.
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