Wednesday July 21, 2021
“Number of strength” instead of “da27”
Royal Alaba becomes Real’s new leader
Needed by David
Real legend Sergio Ramos is gone, David Alaba is here. At his official presentation, the former Bayern professional not only takes on the shirt number of the long-standing defensive boss. Alaba also wants to lead the way with leadership skills – and collect titles.
David Alaba climbs slowly and deliberately onto the small pedestal wearing a fine thread. “Hola a todos, muchas gracias” is his first official sentence as a professional from Real Madrid. “Hello everyone, thank you very much.” The former Bayern Munich defender has already learned Spanish – thanks to former Spanish teammates, he already has a few words on it, he says later – and thanks him for the warmth. He then continued to speak in English: “I am very proud and will give everything for the Real Madrid shirt.” Then the Austrian changes again to Spanish and calls out a “Hala Madrid” in the room, which is accompanied by the cheering of the audience.
The performance begins with a video about Alaba’s early childhood and Bayern’s successes. In the morning, the 29-year-old, who had traveled with his entire family, already completed the mandatory medical check. Florentino Perez has his say in front of the defender. The Real President is currently under massive criticism because tape recordings have emerged on which he is said to have insulted former Madrid stars in the worst possible way. In addition, the real boss continues to stick to the heavily criticized plans for the Super League.
“A new stage begins with David Alaba,” explains Perez, praising him as a “very special football player” and even as “one of Bayern Munich’s greatest legends”. Then the president turns directly to his newcomer and says: “Today a great new challenge begins for you to decorate the history of our club with further titles.” Alaba can always count on the support of everyone in the club and the fans. Perez concludes with the words, “Welcome to your new home.”
“This number stands for leadership”
This is followed by the photo session that everyone has been waiting for. There has been a lot of discussion about which shirt number Alaba would wear at Real in the future. At Bayern he played with the 27. “da27” became a brand there, Alaba’s Instagram account with six and a half million followers bears the same name. In Spain, players from the first team are only allowed to choose numbers from one to 25. It was clear that after the departure of long-time defense boss Sergio Ramos, number four was vacant. But does Alaba want to follow in the giant footsteps of the former leader? Yes, is the answer, although the Spanish sports magazine “Marca” recently reported that no one wanted to take over the number and succeed the longtime captain. But a self-confident Alaba shines in the cameras with the number four jersey.
The Austrian knows: A new era begins at Real. One in which it should of course rain again. And he himself is one of the very important pillars of this new “stage”. That’s why he signed a long-term contract of five years. Alaba doesn’t want to hide. He precedes the royal transfer and shows with his number dialing: Look, you can count on me. I come to take responsibility and lead. “The club came up to me and it was an honor for me to wear this number,” said the defender at the subsequent press conference. “This number stands for leadership and strength. I want to give everything for that.”
He does not hide the fact that Alaba not only brings enormous quality on the pitch, but also leadership qualities: “I came here to be and stay David Alaba. I want to use my strengths on the pitch as well as human beings.” At Bayern you will miss his charisma alongside and dominance on the pitch. Madrid expects a lot from the 29-year-old, but as captain of the Austrian national team, he has proven that he can handle such a load well.
Reunion with Toni Kroos
The Austrian is also celebrating the new Real era with the returning coach Carlo Ancelotti. Success coach Zinédine Zidane is gone. Ancelotti and Alaba have to reinvent Real after only one championship in the past four years and three years of lull in the Champions League and get them back on the path to success. Not a small undertaking. Both know each other from the 2016/17 championship season in Munich. How long the old stars Toni Kroos (31 years old, Alaba expresses his anticipation at the press conference to see the former Bayern colleague), Luka Modric (35), Karim Benzema (33), Gareth Bale (32) and Marcelo ( 33) will still be part of the scaffolding remains to be seen. Ancelotti recently praised the hunger of his “seniors”.
“I think I will join the team the day after tomorrow at the latest,” says Alaba at the end. The season will start in just under a month. Lots to do for the newcomer and for everyone else in Madrid. A year later, the Bernabéu 2.0 is ready just in time for the beginning of the era, the completely renovated stadium, which will be one of the most modern football temples in the world with a lockable roof, 360-degree video wall and new facade. Cost: 525 million euros.
Real likes to splurge. And at Real, only titles count. Sometimes that’s not enough. Ancelotti won the Champions League in 2014 and still had to leave. David Alaba will be warned – and move forward to bless his new era with success. With his new number of strengths.
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