In 2009, Alonso made a shock move to Real Madrid, where he reunited with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. At the Bernabeu, Alonso continued to excel and formed a formidable midfield trio with Sami Khedira and Luka Modric.

He helped Real Madrid win La Liga in his second season at the club and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League on three occasions. After five successful years in Madrid, Alonso moved to Bayern Munich in 2014, where he continued to be a key player for the German giants.

He helped Bayern win three consecutive Bundesliga titles and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of his three seasons at the club. In 2017, Alonso announced that he would retire from professional football at the end of the season, bringing an end to a glittering career.

Alonso was also a regular for the Spanish national team, winning 114 caps and helping his country win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. He was an integral part of the Spanish team that dominated international football for a period of six years, and his passing range and composure on the ball were crucial to their success.

Throughout his career, Alonso was widely respected by his peers for his technical ability and his leadership qualities. He was a player who could control the tempo of a game and dictate play from midfield. His passing ability was unparalleled, and he was often compared to some of the greatest midfielders of all time, such as Xavi and Andrea Pirlo.

After retiring from football, Alonso moved into coaching and became the manager of Real Sociedad B, where he is currently plying his trade. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Alonso, but there is no doubt that he will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, and a true legend of the game.