Helguera criticises Real Madrid for sacking Xabi Alonso and “gambling” on Arbeloa
Ivan Helguera
March 2026
Helguera said Madrid acted too quickly by ending Alonso’s project and should have waited longer before judging results. He argued the club panicked during a rough spell, saying a fair assessment should have been in February or March, noting Alonso left a day after a 3-2 Supercopa final loss to Barcelona and amid reported tactical friction with Vinicius Junior.