Xabi Alonso finds his Grimaldo

A month ago, Fran García's continuity at Madrid was no longer guaranteed. The club, while signing Xabi Alonso, also went after Álvaro Carreras to strengthen a position that has been a headache all season. Mendy spent more time in the infirmary than on the pitch, and that remains the case, and Fran didn't seem up to the task of being a starter for Madrid. So the idea, in addition to going for the Galician from Benfica, was to get rid of one of the two current left-backs. Given what's been seen in the United States, it doesn't look like it's going to be Fran.

While we wait for the World Cup to end and Madrid to resume the Álvaro Carreras operation, the tournament is showing a very high level of performance from several players who were practically written off, like Fran. The arrival of Xabi Alonso has completely changed his status: "He's having a great tournament, both with and without the ball. He knows perfectly when to jump and when to wait. Today he benefited from Vini's positioning and came in very well from the second line. I told him this a few days ago. If you're far from the box, you're not going to score, but if you get there, you have a chance to score. And today was the day after. I'm very happy for him, because he's a home-grown boy with a top attitude," said Xabi after Real Madrid's victory against Borussia Dortmund.

A great game with a goal from the full-back and MVP, his first individual award since returning to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. He did so after being bought back by Real Madrid in January of that same year. It wasn't in Real Madrid's plans to invest the 10 million euros it would have cost to bring Fran back, having been sold to Rayo Vallecano in 2021 for 5 million euros. But Xabi Alonso , who had arrived a few months earlier at a Bayer club that was hovering in the relegation zone in the Bundesliga and needed to strengthen some positions, noticed him and was convinced to take him to Leverkusen. Until Real Madrid came along, and Xabi was left wanting. Now, he finally has him by his side: "It reminds me of what happened with Grimaldo at Bayern," confesses the Tolosar.

Fran García, who turns 26 next month, has a contract until 2029 and has no desire to leave Madrid, where he struggled so hard to get: "I've always tried to work quietly and not get involved in any problems. That doesn't seem to be taken into account, but when I go out I try to do my best to help the team," said Fran after the match, very self-assured: "Fran García has always been the same. Confidence and continuity are very important. Now I have both." He even speaks about himself in the third person.

The full-back raised in La Fábrica was scrutinized from day one. His greatest strength isn't his ability to defend, especially when balls are thrown behind him. That's where the Bolaños de Calatrava native struggles, as has been seen in several matches this season. But Fran García has never let down. He contributes significantly more in midfield forward than in defense, which is why Xabi's five-man defense suits him perfectly. But he's also performing very well in the moments when Alonso has played with four: "It may seem like a cliché, but it's true that in my first year they advised me to leave the nets and focus on football. And, in the end, everything comes. I've been saying it all tournament: I'm calm, and I think it shows. I'm focused on trying to help the team and giving my best."

That advantage will need to be maintained throughout the season. Madrid continues to actively and intensely pursue a left-back. Option A remains Carreras, but if the signing doesn't go through, Madrid isn't planning on sitting idly by. They understand they need another player there, given that Mendy won't return from his injury until November and that the club's plan is to try to get rid of the Frenchman. Xabi likes Fran, and Fran likes Xabi. And Carreras. And the competition between the two will be good for the team: "Not talking about players from other teams, in this case, would be hypocritical. What happens off the field is obviously heard, but it's none of my business. I have to focus on my own thing, and what happens off it, we'll see," the La Mancha native concludes regarding the possible arrival of Álvaro.