Rightly regarded as one of the finest passers in the world, Spain and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is one of the most coveted midfielders in world football. His ability to read the game allied to his vision and awareness persuaded Madrid to spend £30 million to bring him back to his homeland after five highly successful years at Liverpool. At Anfield he won the Champions League, FA Cup and European Super Cup, while at international level he has won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
Born in Tolosa, a small Basque town in Spain, Alonso later moved to San Sebastian, where he befriended a young Mikel Arteta. The two practised their skills on the beaches, battling to become the most technically adept. Alonso's father had also been a professional footballer and his influence saw Xabi taking more pleasure in passing the ball well than shooting on goal.
Alonso's career began at Real Sociedad and in 2001, aged only 17, he had already been made captain by ex-Liverpool legend John Toshack. In 2002-03 the club finished in an astonishing second place, only two points behind Real Madrid, and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time. An international debut for Xabi followed soon after, in April 2003, against Ecuador.
In August 2004, Xabi moved to Liverpool in a £10.7 million deal, following the installation of former Valencia boss Rafa Benitez at Anfield. He made an immediate impression with his intelligent passing and developed a potent partnership with Steven Gerrard. A promising first season was to culminate in the Champions League final in Istanbul against AC Milan.
The Rossoneri raced into a three-goal lead at half-time, but Alonso was to prove an integral part of the greatest ever fightback in a European final. Goals from Steven Gerrard and then Vladimir Smicer saw Liverpool pull the score back to 3-2, before the Reds were awarded a penalty. Alonso assumed responsibility, and despite his penalty being saved by Milan keeper Dida, Alonso smashed home the rebound into the roof of the net to bring Liverpool level at 3-3.
The rest is history, as Benitez's side clung on through extra time before a thrilling penalty shootout saw Liverpool become European champions for a fifth time.
Alonso also starred in Liverpool's FA Cup run the following year, scoring from some 78 yards against Luton Town in the televised third round match. The Reds had been 3-1 down, but completed another astonishing comeback to win the tie 5-3. The Merseysiders went all the way to the final, which, just as in the Champions League final, finished 3-3, before Liverpool wrapped up the trophy on penalties.
In the summer of 2009, Alonso was prised away from Liverpool by Madrid for a staggering £30 million, a previously unheard of sum for a supposed defensive midfielder. In his first season at the Bernabeu, Alonso established himself as a crucial figure in the team, starting every match for which he was fit, and earning his new nickname La Barba Roja (The Red Beard) thanks to his new hirsute look.
He linked up effectively and stylishly with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as the Madrid side sought to overturn Barcelona's dominance. A thrilling title race went right to the final game, though sadly for Alonso, Madrid were pipped at the post by a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona.
The arrival of Jose Mourinho was tipped by many to be the catalyst Los Merengues needed to topple Barcelona. Despite playing some stirring football, though, they were again second best on both domestic and continental fronts. Alonso, however, continued to shine in the centre of the park, adding class and discipline to a side boasting an outlandish amount of attacking flair.
At international level Alonso was a key member of the Spain squad that won Euro 2008, captaining the side in the final group game against Greece and appearing in four out of the six fixtures. He has now established himself as a key member of the midfield, despite immense competition from the likes of Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.
He was hugely influential as the Spaniards won their first ever World Cup in South Africa in 2010, starting every game. He is, however, best remembered as the unfortunate recipient of one of the worst tackles ever seen, a chest-high assault from Holland's Nigel de Jong that left Alonso fearing he had broken a rib. Despite the excruciating pain, Alonso played on, steering Spain towards their famous 1-0 victory.