Real Madrid’s Regret: Zubimendi Shines Elsewhere

As Martín Zubimendi dazzles with Arsenal and the Spanish national team, Real Madrid faces criticism for missing out on a player who could have been pivotal to Xabi Alonso’s tactical plans.

Recent performances by Zubimendi have reignited discussions about Real Madrid’s passive approach during the last transfer window. The Basque midfielder showcased his exceptional skills in Spain’s 2-0 victory over Georgia, winning all seven of his duels, completing seven long passes, and achieving a near-perfect pass accuracy rate of 95%. These statistics highlight his technical prowess, positional awareness, and ability to control the game’s tempo.

Zubimendi: The Missing Piece for Xabi Alonso

Last summer, Zubimendi was available for €60 million due to a release clause that seemed reasonable for a club of Real Madrid’s stature. However, the club chose not to pursue him, allowing Arsenal to secure his services. Attracted by Mikel Arteta’s project, Zubimendi found the style of play at Arsenal appealing. Yet many believe that he would have been an ideal fit for Xabi Alonso’s strategy at Real Madrid, providing balance, clean distribution, and tactical intelligence in a midfield often reliant on Camavinga or Tchouaméni.

Strategic Missteps and Missed Opportunities

The debate around Zubimendi underscores a recurring issue at Real Madrid—overlooking complementary profiles in favor of high-profile signings. Spanish commentator Antonio Romero argued that while significant investments were made in Tchouaméni and Camavinga, Zubimendi could have brought a level of tactical maturity currently lacking in the squad. Despite these criticisms, Xabi Alonso’s staff maintains that developing young midfielders remains a priority. Nonetheless, observers continue to see Zubimendi as the missing link—a player capable of bridging defense and attack much like Alonso himself did during his playing days.

The situation with Zubimendi serves as a reminder of past questionable decisions at Real Madrid. For many analysts, his profile would have perfectly complemented the existing squad, offering much-needed depth and versatility. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will address this perceived gap or continue to rely on their existing talents.