The Spain international is set to represent los Blancos for the 220th time in Saturday’s clash with Malaga, thus drawing him level with the Argentine
EXCLUSIVE
By Alberto Pinero
Xabi Alonso’s father has revealed that the midfielder is proud that he is poised to match Fernando Redondo’s numbers of appearances for Real Madrid.
The Spain international will line out for los Blancos for the 220th time in Saturday’s Liga meeting with Malaga at the Rosaleda, thus drawing him level with his Argentine predecessor, who won two Champions Leagues and two Primera Division titles during his six seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu between 1994 and 2000.
Periko Alonso says that it will be an honour for his son to equal the appearance record of a player that the 32-year-old studied when he was a kid.
“I do not know if I can say he was a reference as such, but Fernando Redondo is a player that Xabi really liked,” he told Goal.
“Xabi is someone who always watches the great players, especially those who played in the same position.
“It is a source of pride for all of us that Xabi can now match the record of a player like Redondo, who is a legend at Real Madrid.”
Of course, Alonso junior’s primary focus will be on helping Madrid extend their advantage at the top of La Liga to six points by beating Malaga. The game is scheduled to kick off at 20:00CET.