Real Madrid veteran sends message to Xabi Alonso as fight for minutes grows – ‘My goal is to…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid veteran David Alaba has made it clear that he is not ready to give up his place at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After almost two years of constant injuries, the Austrian defender has spoken up, telling Xabi Alonso that he is determined to fight for his spot in the team.

Alaba’s last two years have been overshadowed by setbacks. Back in December 2023, he suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee, a devastating injury that kept him sidelined for 13 months.

Even after making his return, further fitness issues prevented him from finding consistency. Now, nearly 21 months later, he is finally back with the squad and aiming to leave those struggles behind.

Now fit and back

The 33-year-old admits it has not been easy to recover after such a long absence. While Real Madrid even opened the door for his exit, Alaba has no plans to walk away just yet.

“My goal at Real Madrid is to play,” he stated firmly as quoted by SPORT.

David Alaba played for Austria recently. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

So far, Alonso has not used him in the opening three league matches, and injury kept him out of the Club World Cup, but Alaba remains confident.

The defender recently returned to action with Austria, playing 70 minutes in their 1-0 win over Cyprus, and believes he is finally reaching full fitness. “

Now I feel good, I’ve made a lot of progress lately,” Alaba said. His message to Alonso was – “In the next games you will be able to see how I am.”

While he still has a guaranteed place in his national team, winning back a regular role at Real Madrid will be much harder.

Younger defenders have stepped up in his absence, and competition under Alonso is fierce.

But Alaba insists he is ready to prove himself again, hoping to rediscover the sharpness, and reliability that made him one of Madrid’s most trusted players during his first two seasons at the club.