Proof: Barcelona president’s words came true for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

Joan Laporta has never been one to speak without purpose, and recent events in Madrid have only strengthened the belief that the club president saw this storm coming long before it arrived.

What unfolded last night at Real Madrid felt less like a sudden collapse and more like the final chapter of a story that had been quietly building for months.

Back in March 2024, when Real Madrid’s pursuit of Kylian Mbappe was dominating headlines, Laporta offered a sharp assessment that many dismissed at the time.

The Barcelona president openly questioned how such a high-profile signing would affect the balance inside Madrid’s dressing room, stating,

“I don’t envy Real Madrid signing Mbappe. He will distort their locker room.”

It was a comment that drew criticism then, but today it reads more like a warning than a provocation.

Fast forward to last night, and the internal tension at Madrid was laid bare.

Laporta had warned about Mbappe’s impact in the dressing room. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

After the Spanish Super Cup final, Xabi Alonso, already under pressure, wanted Real Madrid to offer Barcelona a Guard of Honour.

It was a gesture of respect, but it was also a test of authority. That authority did not hold.

Mbappe, the club’s biggest star, instructed players to leave the pitch , a moment that spoke volumes about who truly held power in that squad.

For Alonso, it was the breaking point. Sources close to the situation suggest he felt his position had been weakened beyond repair.

When a manager’s voice no longer carries weight in decisive moments, the end usually comes quickly. By yesterday, it was official, as Xabi Alonso was sacked .

As Laporta explained almost two years ago, big names bring goals and global attention, but they can also shift the balance inside a team if not carefully managed.

Madrid’s gamble on star power appears to have come at the cost of internal harmony.