Personal history above friendship! Javier Mascherano's message for Xabi Alonso: “I don't wish them success”
Article by Dragoș Petrescu – published on Sunday, June 15, 2025, 20:29 / Updated Sunday, June 15, 2025 20:30
Javier Mascherano (41 years old) debuted with a draw at the World Club Championship, Inter Miamithe team they train, ending in an inaugural duel against those of Al Ahlyscore 0-0. At the press conference preceding the game, however, the former Argentine International had a categorical message for the friend Xabi Alonso (43).
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The World Club Championship takes place between June 14 and July 13, being fully available on the Voyo.ro platform, and the most important matches will be televised by Pro TV, respectively Pro Arena;
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32 teams participate, distributed in eight groups of four. The first two of each group qualifies in optimal;
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The final takes place on Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 14.
The full program of the first stage of the club world
Mascherano and Alonso divided the locker room in Liverpool for two years (2007-2009), after which they became rivals in Spain, Xabi signing with Real Madrid, and Javier with Barcelona.
Although they are friends outside the field, the love for the Catalan club made Argentine to send a sharp message to the new coach of the “galactic”.
Javier Mascherano to Xabi Alonso: “I am sure he will do a good job, but I do not wish him success”
Prior to the inaugural match of the World Club Championship, in which Inter Miami and Ahly drew white (0-0), Mascherano was asked what he thinks about the fact that Xabi Alonso, his friend and former colleague from Liverpool, took over the “Blanco” band.
The response of the Argentine technician was a direct one, without bypass, but taken in two directions. On the one hand, Mascherano praised the Spanish for the performances obtained at Bayer Leverkusen and said that the appointment on the Real's technical bench is natural, but he wanted to specify and that he cannot support him, having a past in the Barcelona T-shirt.
Xabi is a great guy, we have known each other for a long time and we have tied a very beautiful friendship. I had the pleasure of playing with him at Liverpool. He was a fantastic player and, from what I see, he is the same as a coach.
I am sure he will do a good job there (no – at Real Madrid), as he did at Leverkusen. But if you ask me if I will support him, of course the answer is no. I can't do that because Real Madrid train
– said Javier Mascherano, at the press conference preceding the party between Inter Miami and Ahly
Liverpool's most notable performances in the common period at the Club de Alonso and Mascherano were a semi -final of the Champions League (lost in 2008 in front of Chelsea), respectively the second place in the Premier League a season later.
Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, colleagues at Liverpool between 2007 and 2009 // Photo: Getty Images
Xabi Alonso will debut on Real Madrid's bench on Wednesday, June 18, from 10:00 pm, when “Los Blancos” will face Al-Hilal, a team that also has a new coach, namely Simone Inzaghi.
