Real Madrid is experiencing a sweet moment in the competition. Xabi Alonso's arrival has brought a refreshing atmosphere that's making an impact in the locker room. The team competes with intensity, keeps a clear identity, and conveys a sense of solidity that few expected at this stage.
However, that firmness is also reflected in the decisions the coach makes regarding its footballers.
The latest to experience this has been Claudio Echeverri Mastantuono, the young Argentine gem who arrived this summer at Santiago Bernabéu.
After the first few weeks in which he enjoyed continuity and starting roles, his role is beginning to be reduced in favor of other teammates who've convinced Xabi Alonso more.
A bench that hurts
In the match against Real Sociedad, the Donostia-born coach left Mastantuono on the bench. It wasn't a minor detail, because the Argentine was used to being one of the first options in the rotation, especially with Jude Bellingham still out.
The decision makes it clear that Xabi has already found replacements to cover that position, which complicates the immediate present of the former River Plate player.
The message is clear: at Real Madrid, minutes aren't given away. The competition is fierce, and whoever doesn't take advantage of their opportunity runs the risk of falling behind. Mastantuono will have to work even harder to regain the trust of a coach who, for now, seems to be opting for other pieces.
Bellingham's return will change everything
The situation becomes more difficult considering that Jude Bellingham is about to return. The Englishman, the team's great leader since he arrived in 2023, has been absent due to physical problems, but his return is getting closer.
With Bellingham at his best, Mastantuono's chances are reduced even further. Both share an area of the field where the competition is at its highest.
For the Argentine, the only way out will be to reinvent himself or accept a secondary role for a while. His youth works in his favor, but Real Madrid's demands don't allow for prolonged adaptation periods. The team is in the midst of a title race, and every match is played like a final.
Xabi Alonso imposes his law
The coach has made it clear that the collective is what matters. Names, age, or the label of a prospect don't matter. Whoever isn't ready to perform at the highest level won't have a leading role.
Mastantuono has experienced this firsthand and now will have to react to avoid being singled out.
The future remains open, but the present is clear: Xabi sets the path, and everyone must follow it. Not even the young stars have a guaranteed starting spot.