Modern Football Mavericks: Xabi Alonso

Modern Football Mavericks: Xabi Alonso

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Xabier Alonso Olano

D.O.B: 25th November 1981

Club: Bayern Munich

Career Information: Real Sociedad B (1999-2000), Real Sociedad (2000-2004), Eibar (on loan, 2001), Liverpool (2004-2009), Real Madrid (2009-2014), Bayern Munich (2014- Present).

Honours:

Club
Liverpool
Champions League 2004-05
UEFA Super Cup 2005
FA Cup 2005-06
FA Community Shield 2006

Real Madrid
Champions League 2013-14
UEFA Super Cup 2014
La Liga 2011-12
Copa del Rey 2010-11, 2013-14
Supercopa de Espana 2012

Bayern Munich
Bundesliga 2014-15

Country (Spain)
FIFA World Cup 2010
European Championship 2008, 2012

Individual
Spanish Player of the Year 2003
Premier League Goal of the Month November 2004
FIFA FIFPro World XI 2011, 2012
La Liga Best Midfielder 2012
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 2012

Most underrated Maverick of all?
When people think of cool, they think of a few memorable places and people. Milan. Paris. New York. Dubai. James Bond. Andrea Pirlo.

But only a few thing of Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard has always been the everyday man's (depending who you ask) favourite type of midfielder, as well as Maverick, as he strolls around in training, doesn't run in games (no matter how important they are) and always seem to be pictured with a beer in his hand at team gatherings (which I'm sure his wife would deny!). All in all, Alonso seems like a carbon copy of Andrea Pirlo. However, Alonso seems even more cooler and focused than the legendary Italian midfielder and I look at the Spaniard's achievements and attitude to the Beautiful Game.

At the age of 15, Alonso was sent to the Irish town of Kells as part of a student exchange programme and learned a lot of his English there. Alonso was friends with Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta but were scouted to different top Spanish clubs, with Alonso going to Real Sociedad's academy and Arteta going to Barcelona's academy. Alonso moved to the first-team at the age of 18 but moved to Eibar to gain massive first-team experience.

In his first professional season, Alonso made 30 appearances for Sociedad and ended up scoring three goals. The season after, 2003-04, Real Madrid failed to win Alonso's signature as they couldn't, or wouldn't match the £13 million price tag. Mikel Arteta then joined his childhood friend at Sociedad but the dream partnership in midfield was short-lived as Alonso moved to Liverpool for £10.7 million in August 2004. Alonso slotted in coolly to the Merseyside team but broke his ankle on New Day 2005 after a tackle with Frank Lampard that left the Spaniard injured for three months. When he returned against Juventus in Champions League quarter-finals second leg, he filled the hole left by the injured Steven Gerard and one Journalist from the Guardian said "This marvellously accomplished footballer testified in the Stadio delle Alpi that technique can overcome a serious physical disadvantage." Which is true. Alonso proves you don't need loads of physical presence in order to dominate a game. Alonso was part of the 2005 Champions League Final winning Liverpool team that infamously fought about against AC Milan to win 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out after a fantastic fight back from 3-0 down. Alonso then said about the win "This is the best moment in my professional career."

In January 2006, In a FA Cup win over Luton Town, Alonso scored two goals, the second from 65 yards and within his own half, subsequently winning a Liverpool supporter £25,000 from a £200 bet. Later that year in September, Alonso scored another cracker against Newcastle and commented saying "I think this was better. The Luton goal bounced a few times, this one went quite straight. The Luton one was left-footed – it was different – but I am quite happy to score the goal."

In the 2008 summer transfer window, there were reports that Alonso would leave the Merseyside outfit due to Liverpool chasing Gareth Barry (didn't you miss out there Rafa!). Alonso told the media "The fans couldn't have done more to show me how they felt... If I went out for lunch or a coffee, there was always someone who would come over and say, 'We'd love you to stay'. I'm just glad that, in the end, nothing came of it the transfer because it wasn't something I ever asked for." However Alonso did move to Real Madrid in August 2009 for £30 million due to 'differences' with Rafa Benitez. He then achieved a record number of points when he finished second with Real behind champions Barcelona, a total 96 points for Real. He had achieved this was Real Sociedad in 2002-03 and Liverpool in 2008-09. He won his second Champions League medal when Real beat Atletico 4-1, after extra-time.

Other information about Alonso is that he has stated that he is a Liverpool fan and has done during the later stages of his career. He is also the tenth most followed Sportsman on Twitter and the eight most followed Footballer on the site.

There has been a lot of comparison between Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso due to their casual comments, laid-back approach to games and quality off-the-pitch antics. However, Alonso is one of the most technically gifted midfielders and calm Midfield players and is in my opinion the coolest Maverick ever.