Real Madrids No. 9 Battle Heats Up Under Alonso

Real Madrid’s intense preseason under Xabi Alonso features a key dilemma as who will wear the No. 9 shirt? With Endrick sidelined until late September, academy star Gonzalo García, top scorer at the Club World Cup and netting 25 goals for Castilla is leading the race ahead of the August 19 La Liga opener.

After the start of a demanding preseason, Real Madrid under new manager Xabi Alonso, are working hard to bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. The squad recently completed a nearly three-hour training session at Valdebebas, combining gym work, tactical drills, and ball-focused exercises in the early morning to beat Madrid’s heat. Alonso’s intense methods have already surprised many observers.

However, the team is still missing key players. Jude Bellingham is out until October following shoulder surgery, Ferland Mendy is training alone due to fitness issues, and Endrick remains unavailable until late September with a muscular injury. New Argentine signing Franco Mastantuono is present in Madrid but cannot officially join the squad until he turns 18 on August 14.

One of the major talking points is who will wear the iconic No. 9 shirt, with Kylian Mbappé opting for No. 10. The battle is currently between academy star Gonzalo García, who scored 25 goals for Castilla and impressed at the Club World Cup, and Endrick, who had an injury-plagued debut season. Gonzalo currently leads the race due to his fitness and form.