Xabi Alonso has arrived on Real Madrid's bench with a direct message: here, only those who give everything play. The name, the career, or the talent don't matter; for the Basque coach, attitude is non-negotiable. From his first day in Valdebebas, he has set a line of discipline that not everyone has been able to handle.
Dani Ceballos's case
The greatest example of this new philosophy has a first and last name: Dani Ceballos. The Andalusian midfielder, who in other periods earned a spot thanks to his intensity in training, has lost ground. Not because of a lack of quality, but because of what Alonso interprets as a lack of commitment.
The coach has punished the player with a lack of minutes. We saw it in the Club World Cup, and it has been confirmed in recent weeks: Dani Ceballos has fallen to the bottom of the rotation. "I don't want to see him in the team," the situation isn't a coincidence; the coach perceives that the Sevillian is thinking more about leaving than fighting for his place at Chamartín.
Betrayal in the locker room
Alonso has interpreted that attitude as a kind of betrayal. In a locker room full of stars, he needs soldiers convinced of his project. If someone shows doubts, there's no room for concessions. The message is forceful: whoever isn't one hundred percent won't have a place on the field.
For Dani Ceballos, the situation is a blow. The footballer has always dreamed of succeeding at Madrid, but as of today, his role is secondary. With the rest of the midfielders available and in good shape, the reality is harsh: he'll be one of the last to enter the rotations.
Dreams of returning to Betis
Meanwhile, the player's desire to return to Real Betis remains alive. It's the club of his life, the team where he truly feels at home. However, the problem is financial; the verdiblanco side can't afford the amount Real Madrid is asking for his transfer.
Florentino Pérez knows it, although Dani Ceballos has asked for his help to leave, the numbers don't add up. Meanwhile, Alonso insists: he doesn't want to see him on the field if his mind is far from the white locker room.
An uncertain future
The transfer market can still bring surprises, but if the midfielder stays, his role will be marginal. Alonso has been clear: quality isn't enough. Will, discipline, and absolute commitment are needed.
The message to the club president is also clear. The Basque coach is betting on a silent clean-up, with no untouchable names. In this new Real Madrid, nobody has a guaranteed starting spot if they don't show commitment every day.