Real Madrid’s turbulent season took a dramatic turn on Monday when club president Florentino Pérez dismissed head coach Xabi Alonso less than 24 hours after a heated post-match incident involving star forward Kylian Mbappé. The saga unfolded in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s 3-2 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on January 11, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A viral video captured Alonso instructing his players to form a guard of honour for the victorious Barcelona side, only for Mbappé to counter the directive, leading the team off the pitch instead. The episode has ignited widespread debate about authority, respect, and the internal dynamics at one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.

The Super Cup final was a high-stakes clash, with Barcelona emerging victorious thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri, while Real Madrid’s replies came from Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham. The match, watched by millions globally, was marked by intense play and several contentious moments, including a late red card for Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni. But it was the post-game ceremony that stole the headlines. As Barcelona prepared to lift the trophy, Alonso – a former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend – was seen gesturing to his players, including substitute Raúl Asencio, to line up for the traditional guard of honour, a gesture of sportsmanship common in Spanish football.

However, footage circulating on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram showed Mbappé, who had come off the bench in the second half, intervening. The French superstar appeared to wave off the idea, urging his teammates to exit the field after collecting their runner-up medals. The players complied, leaving Alonso isolated in his attempt to uphold the tradition. “Xabi Alonso tells the Madrid players to form a guard of honor but Mbappe calls him back, and he obliges like a puppet,” one X user posted, encapsulating the sentiment that Alonso’s authority had been publicly undermined. The clip, shared by accounts like @DeadlineDayLive, amassed over 4 million views and thousands of reactions within hours.

Sources close to the club, speaking to outlets like Marca and AS, indicated that this incident was the tipping point in a season fraught with inconsistencies. Alonso, appointed in June 2025 after Carlo Ancelotti’s retirement, had been under pressure following a shaky start to the 2025-26 La Liga campaign. Real Madrid sat third in the table, eight points behind leaders Barcelona, with defensive frailties and integration issues plaguing the squad. The addition of Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster free transfer in the summer of 2025 was meant to bolster the attack, but the 27-year-old’s adaptation has been rocky, marked by injuries and reported tensions over his role as a central striker versus his preferred left-wing position.

Pérez, known for his decisive management style, acted swiftly. Real Madrid’s official statement on January 12 announced Alonso’s departure: “Real Madrid CF announces that Xabi Alonso is no longer the first-team coach. The club thanks him for his dedication and wishes him the best in future endeavors.” Álvaro Arbeloa, a former Real Madrid defender and current manager of the B-team (Castilla), was promoted on an interim basis. Arbeloa, 42, has been with the club’s youth setup since 2020 and is seen as a loyalist with deep ties to the institution. His first task will be preparing for the upcoming La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on January 18.

Reactions to the sacking poured in from across the football world. Mbappé was the first Real Madrid player to publicly address the change, posting on Instagram: “Thank you, coach, for your confidence and the lessons learned. Wishing you all the best.” The message, accompanied by a photo of the two shaking hands, came amid speculation of a rift. Other players, including captain Luka Modrić and Vinícius Júnior, shared similar tributes, with Modrić writing, “A true Madridista. Thanks for everything, Xabi.” Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, in a post-match press conference, downplayed the guard of honour snub: “These things happen in the heat of the moment. We focus on our victory.”

Criticism of Mbappé has been sharp. Former Real Madrid player and pundit Predrag Mijatović told Cadena SER radio: “It’s disgraceful. You respect the coach’s decision, especially in front of the world.” Social media erupted with fans divided; some hailed Mbappé’s leadership, while others accused him of ego-driven insubordination. A Reddit thread on r/realmadrid titled “The greeting between Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso after losing the Super Cup” analyzed Pérez’s stern expression during the medal ceremony, suggesting the president’s dissatisfaction was palpable. Comments ranged from “Fuck Perez for not supporting Xabi” to calls for addressing “glaringly obvious needs” like squad depth, rather than prioritizing Mbappé’s integration.

Alonso’s tenure, lasting just seven months, was a homecoming gone awry. The 44-year-old Basque returned to Madrid after leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2024 and a Champions League semi-final in 2025. His appointment was hailed as a strategic move to blend youth with experience, but results faltered. Real Madrid exited the Copa del Rey early and struggled in the Champions League group stage. Injuries to key players like Mbappé, who missed several weeks in December 2025, compounded issues. In press conferences, Alonso defended his choices, such as loaning out young talent Endrick to gain experience: “We must focus on the medium and long term.” Yet, decisions like persisting with Mbappé in central roles drew scrutiny.

The guard of honour tradition holds symbolic weight in El Clásico rivalries. Past instances include Real Madrid applauding Barcelona after their 2008 league title and vice versa in 2018. Skipping it is rare and often controversial, as seen in 2017 when Barcelona refused after a Club World Cup win. Analysts suggest this incident exposed deeper fractures. “Alonso lost the dressing room,” opined ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti. “When players listen to a star over the coach, it’s a red flag.” Reports from El País indicate Pérez consulted senior players before the decision, hinting at internal polls favoring change.

Mbappé’s role in Real Madrid’s future is now under the microscope. The World Cup winner has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances this season but faced criticism for lackluster performances in big games. His contract, running until 2030 with a reported €15 million annual salary, positions him as the club’s cornerstone. However, whispers of a “player power” culture – reminiscent of past eras with figures like Cristiano Ronaldo – have resurfaced. Pérez, 78, has a history of bold moves, having sacked coaches like José Mourinho and Rafael Benítez mid-season.

The broader implications for Real Madrid are significant. With the transfer window open until January 31, speculation abounds about reinforcements, particularly in defense. Potential permanent replacements for Alonso include high-profile names like Jürgen Klopp, who is on sabbatical, or Mauricio Pochettino. Arbeloa’s interim stint offers stability, but fans demand quick results. The club’s statement emphasized “continuing to pursue all objectives,” including a record 15th Champions League title.

In the football community, tributes to Alonso highlight his legacy as a player – winning the 2014 Champions League with Real Madrid – and coach. Bayer Leverkusen issued a supportive message: “Once a Werkself, always a Werkself. Good luck, Xabi.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez even weighed in on X: “Football is passion and respect. Wishing Alonso success ahead.”

As investigations into the incident continue informally – with no official complaints from Barcelona – the focus shifts to healing rifts. Mbappé’s farewell post may signal reconciliation, but the episode underscores the precarious balance of power in elite clubs. For Real Madrid, a club synonymous with galacticos and glory, this controversy could either fracture or forge a stronger unit. Pérez’s swift action reaffirms his iron grip, but questions linger: Will Mbappé’s influence propel or plague the team?

The coming weeks will test Real Madrid’s resilience. With La Liga, Champions League, and domestic cups on the line, the post-Alonso era begins under a cloud of drama. Fans, divided yet passionate, await the next chapter in this storied club’s saga.