I was right to leave Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso
Spanish midfield maestro Xabi Alonso has reiterated that he made the right decision when he left Real Madrid to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014. Alonso spent five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu after arriving from Premier League side Liverpool FC and experienced a trophy-laden time at the Spanish Capital.
The midfielder claims he has no regrets over switching to Germany from Spain and has added that he felt it was the right time to have opted for a new challenge in his career. He has also clarified rumours claiming that the Spaniard was contemplating retiring from the game in the near future.
"I think so," he told Bayern's official website when asked if he felt he had made the right decision. "I've really enjoyed being at the club so far. It's an excellent experience for me and I still hope to have more success this season than last.
"I feel as good as I have done before and I enjoy every minute on the pitch. If that wasn't the case, it would be the moment to stop."
The 33-year old, who started his career at Spanish club Real Sociedad, moved to England to join Liverpool in 2004. He quickly established himself at the club and was pivotal in Liverpool’s fairytale Champions League triumph in just his second season at the club in 2005. He also won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield with the Merseyside club.
Real Madrid came calling for his services in 2009 and Alonso spent no time in making himself a regular at the Bernabeu. He helped them to the Liga title in 2012 and also helped Los Blancos achieve the long awaited La Decima in 2014 as Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2014. He then moved to the Allianz Arena on a two-year contract
Alonso has also tasted success with the Spanish national team. He was an integral part of what is seen by many as the golden period in Spanish football history as the La Roja dominated World football. They won the 2008 and 2012 Euro Championships and the 2010 FIFA world Cup in South Africa.
Want to win the Champions League with Bayern: Alonso
Xabi Alonso, who has enjoyed a successful career so far has set a new target for himself as he wants to win the Champions League with the Bavarian outfit. Alonso has already won the coveted title twice in his career with Liverpool and Real Madrid. But he has expressed that he would want to emulate Dutch icon Clarence Seedorf by becoming the second player to win the Champions League with three different clubs.
"It would be the third team I've won the trophy with, something that only Clarence Seedorf has managed to do to date.
"It would be something very special [to face Madrid], something exciting. I wore the white jersey for five years and I still have a close relationship with the club, and with the people there, just as I do with Liverpool."