Khabib Nurmagomedov has spoken out strongly following Real Madrid’s decision to sack Xabi Alonso. The former UFC lightweight champion is a long-time supporter of the Spanish giants and did not hide his frustration after the club parted ways with the former midfielder. Alonso’s dismissal came after Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final to bitter rivals FC Barcelona earlier this week.
Alonso, regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his era, only took charge of Real Madrid last June. His time as head coach lasted less than a year. The sudden nature of his exit sparked debate among fans and former players. Nurmagomedov, known for his loyalty and discipline, shared his disappointment and aimed his criticism directly at the squad rather than the coach.
Khabib Nurmagomedov defends Xabi Alonso and criticizes Real Madrid squad
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacted through an Instagram Stories post shortly after Xabi Alonso’s dismissal was confirmed. He questioned the club’s sense of loyalty and suggested the players were to blame. In his message, Nurmagomedov said loyalty no longer exists in football. He pointed out that the club had strongly pushed for Alonso just a year ago but removed him quickly because of what he described as spoiled players.
He ended his message by praising Alonso and calling him the best.
The comments quickly gained attention online. Many fans agreed with Nurmagomedov’s view, while others felt the decision was part of football’s harsh reality. Alonso’s reputation as a player remains untarnished. During his time at Real Madrid from 2009 onward, he won several major trophies and became a key figure in midfield. His short coaching spell, however, ended before he could fully shape the team.
The former champion Nurmagomedov has also shared strong opinions about football’s greatest players. Last year, he was asked to choose between
Lionel Messi and
Cristiano Ronaldo. While he made it clear that he admired Ronaldo greatly, he felt Messi’s achievements made the difference.
Nurmagomedov explained that before the World Cup, he was certain about his preference. However, after Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina, it became impossible to deny what he had achieved. He said Messi won everything there was to win. He compared Messi’s career to a long drama finally reaching its ending, suggesting that the story was complete.
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