Xabi Alonso Hails Mbappé as Madrid Break Bilbao Run

Xabi Alonso could hardly hide his delight after watching Kylian Mbappé tear apart Athletic Club, calling the French star’s brace and his link-up with Vinícius Júnior the key to Real Madrid’s long-awaited return to winning form.

Speaking after the tense night at San Mamés, Alonso praised the ruthlessness that dragged Madrid through a fixture that had become a psychological hurdle in recent weeks.

Madrid arrived in Bilbao under pressure after three straight league draws, but they left with a 36 point tally and renewed belief as they closed the gap on Barcelona at the top of LaLiga to a single point.

The match opened with a statement. Mbappé struck in the seventh minute, finishing with the icy decisiveness that has defined his season. Minutes later he turned provider for Eduardo Camavinga, guiding the tempo of Madrid’s attack before adding a second goal midway through the second half. It was the kind of all-round performance that has become increasingly common this year, yet it still felt like something new for a team that had struggled to impose itself away from home.

Alonso told reporters that Mbappé’s movement and his understanding with Vinícius were exactly what Madrid needed. The manager highlighted fast starts, sharper concentration and a clear intent to dominate, insisting the first half showcased the rhythm the squad had been trying to rediscover. The second half brought less possession but no drop in authority, which Alonso said was decisive after so many recent setbacks on the road.

This was not just another win. It was a response to growing criticism of Madrid’s form and questions about their ability to control matches away from the Bernabéu. Before Bilbao, they had stumbled at Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona, dropping points through slow builds, defensive lapses and a lack of finishing punch. The performance in Bilbao felt like a direct answer to all of that.

Alonso described the night as one of Madrid’s most complete displays of the season, particularly given the atmosphere at San Mamés. He emphasized calm preparation, insisting the team approach the game with focus rather than frustration, and credited the defensive structure that limited Athletic to almost nothing across the 90 minutes.

Mbappé’s numbers added another storyline. His two goals put him at 55 for the year, leaving him just four short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time club record for a calendar year. After the match he posted a short message on social media: “This is my Madrid,” a line guaranteed to send fans and pundits into debate about what this version of Madrid could become with Mbappé at its center.

Alonso avoided deeper explanations for why the performance against Athletic was so different from the sluggish outings earlier in the month. He insisted the focus had to remain on the present and praised the consistency shown across the pitch. With a demanding calendar ahead, the coach warned that Madrid cannot linger too long on momentum whether positive or negative.

The bigger question now shifts to sustainability. Can Madrid turn this into a run and keep pace with a Barcelona side showing signs of stability at the top of the table? Will Mbappé break Ronaldo’s record before the year ends, and what does that mean for his position within the club’s long-term project? If Bilbao was a turning point, the next few weeks will reveal it.

What is clear is that Madrid found clarity again at San Mamés and they did it behind a forward who is playing like the most decisive attacker in Europe. Alonso may not want to dwell on the past, but everyone else will be watching to see if this was the night Madrid rediscovered themselves.