Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has heaped praised on the sensational Gonzalo Garcia whose hat-trick helped sweep aside Real Betis in LaLiga on Sunday.
The win felt decisive, controlled and, above all, like a statement heading into the next phase of the season.
“It was an important and well-deserved win to start the year at home,” Alonso told the press after the match. “It’s important to start like this: calmly and with good feelings heading into the Super Cup.”
As Madrid move through the gears, Alonso knows the title race remains relentless.
“I value the victory in terms of LaLiga. Barcelona won yesterday, and we have to win a lot of games.”
He also highlighted what the result means mathematically as the campaign hits its halfway mark.
“It was the last match of the first half of the season, and we’ve already reached 45 points. That would put us at 90 in LaLiga.
“The average has to be winning many games in the remaining fixtures. The pace is going to be intense for what’s to come. From tomorrow onwards, we’re only thinking about the Super Cup.”
And yet, as the final whistle blew, one name dominated the home turf: Gonzalo.
The young forward produced a dream performance, smashing home a brilliant hat-trick and playing with bravery beyond his years. Alonso didn’t hesitate to celebrate him.
“It was a dream match for him. Playing at the Bernabeu, his first season with the first team, and scoring a hat-trick.
“He was eager to score in this stadium, and I’m happy for him and for his daily work, both when he’s playing and when he’s not.”
He continued: “His attitude is impressive, and he’s a great example of what it means to be a Real Madrid youth player.”
The praise didn’t stop there; but it never drifted into exaggeration. Instead, Alonso underscored the balance Gonzalo brings.
“I congratulate him on his performance, on the hat-trick, and I encourage him to keep it up.
“Football demands teamwork with and without the ball.
“Forwards initiate the press, defend in the high press, the height of the pressing moments… Gonzalo understands that very well.”
He added: “He has a lot of aggression, very good acceleration, a very good pressing moment, and he also has an eye for goal, which is fundamental.
“If you add that defensive ability to that ability to score goals, it greatly helps to make the team’s defensive balance much better,” he concluded.
So, while the Bernabeu celebrated the goals, the gaffer celebrated the project: intensity, maturity, and winning football.
And as Madrid now shift into Super Cup mode, the message is clear: stay sharp, stay grounded, and keep pushing.
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