The pressure on Real Madrid has reached critical levels following the team’s disappointing debut at the 2025 Club World Cup, where they drew 1-1 against Al Hilal on June 18 in Miami. Club president Florentino Pérez has lost patience with new coach Xabi Alonso and has given him a 24-hour ultimatum to make drastic tactical changes or face an early exit. This move reflects the urgency of a club that, after a season without major titles, sees the tournament as a key opportunity to regain prestige and stability, but also as a minefield for the Tolosa-born coach, who has only been in charge for two weeks.

The draw against Al Hilal highlighted Real Madrid’s shortcomings under Alonso’s management. Without Kylian Mbappé, confined to his hotel due to a viral infection, the team displayed a lack of balance and offensive depth. Federico Valverde, captain in the absence of the injured players, missed a crucial penalty, while the defense, led by youngsters Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen, made errors that cost them the equalizer. Alonso’s reliance on a traditional 4-3-3, with Gonzalo García Vázquez at center forward and Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo on the wings, failed to prevail against a well-structured Al Hilal. The match statistics, with 52% possession for Real Madrid and only three shots on target, according to SofaScore, underscored the lack of clear ideas in Real Madrid’s play.

Pérez, known for his relentless demands, hasn’t hidden his frustration. According to sources close to the club, the president believes that Alonso, despite his prestige after winning the Bundesliga title unbeaten with Bayer Leverkusen, has failed to adapt his philosophy to the context of Real Madrid, where immediate results are non-negotiable. The 24-hour ultimatum, communicated after an emergency meeting in the early hours of June 19, demands that Alonso implement a more solid system, possibly with a five-man defense or a double pivot in midfield, to guarantee victories in the upcoming matches against Pachuca and Auckland City. The warning is clear: an early World Cup exit could mean the end of the Alonso era before the 2025-26 season even begins.

The coach, for his part, faces a difficult situation. With just 17 days of work and a squad depleted by injuries to key players such as Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal, Alonso has had little time to implement his game plan, which combines high pressing, polished possession, and inside progression. In his post-match press conference, he admitted: “We lacked balance, but that’s just the first step. In the second half, there was a reaction.” However, his words have not calmed a board that had hoped for a more forceful impact, especially after Pérez’s public support during Alonso’s presentation on May 26, when he called him “a legend who will take Madrid to new heights.”

The tension is compounded by internal friction. Mbappé’s demand that Valverde be stripped of the captaincy after the match against Al Hilal has added fuel to the fire, highlighting divisions in the dressing room. Although Alonso defended Valverde, highlighting his “natural leadership,” the situation is testing his ability to manage egos and maintain team cohesion. Furthermore, the imminent departures of Luka Modric and Lucas Vázquez after the tournament, along with Rodrygo’s inconsistency, limit the coach’s tactical options.

Fans, divided on social media, reflect the climate of uncertainty. While some plead for patience for Alonso, others demand immediate results, reminding them that Real Madrid does not tolerate setbacks in prestigious competitions. The Club World Cup, with a prize pool of up to €145 million, is a priority for Pérez, who sees the tournament as a platform to reaffirm the club’s dominance after a lackluster season. However, the tight schedule and high temperatures in the United States are complicating the team’s preparations.

The next match against Pachuca, scheduled for June 22, will be decisive. If Alonso doesn’t achieve a convincing victory, his future could be sealed. Pérez’s ultimatum not only puts the coach’s fate at stake, but also exposes the contradictions of a club that bet on a long-term project with Alonso, but is unwilling to give him time. At Real Madrid, patience is a luxury few can afford, and Xabi Alonso, despite his pedigree, is no exception. The clock is ticking, and the Tolosarra native has 24 hours to prove he can right the course of a giant in crisis.