The Xabi Alonso magic: Real Madrid enjoy their best start to the season after 64 years | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Real Madrid manager has reached a historic milestone. Following the team’s victory against Valencia on Saturday, the club has now played 14 official matches in the 2025-26 season. The team’s incredible record stands at 13 wins and just one defeat.

This achievement isn’t just a good start; it is statistically the best start to a season Real Madrid has seen in 64 years, and the second-best in the club’s entire 123-year history.

A record-breaking start

To find a comparable run of form, one must look all the way back to the 1961-62 season. That legendary squad, managed by the iconic Miguel Munoz, also began their campaign with 13 wins and one defeat.

That team, powered by club legends like Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, and Francisco Gento, went on to win a dominant La Liga and Copa del Generalísimo double.

Xabi Alonso has been critical to Real Madrid’s success. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

For Alonso’s new-look side to be in the same statistical company as that all-time great team shows just how dominant their start has been.

In fact, only one team in Real Madrid’s history has ever had a better record after 14 games. The absolute best start belongs to the 1928-29 side, managed by Jose Antonio Berraondo. In the very first La Liga season, they achieved an unbeaten record of 13 wins and one draw.

While that 1928-29 team ultimately finished second to Barcelona, the 1961-62 team’s domestic double is the benchmark this current squad will be aiming for.

After a crucial El Clasico victory over Barcelona last week and with the team sitting firmly at the top of the La Liga table, this record-equalling start is the perfect foundation for a season aimed at winning multiple trophies.