The pursuit of excellence, generosity and hard work are indisputable at every level of the club,’ said the Real Madrid coach
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso and Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations and Managing Director of the Real Madrid European University School, were responsible for inaugurating the 2025/26 academic year in the Real Madrid City auditorium. Also attending the event, which marks the start of the 20th graduating class, were Elena Gazapo, rector of the European University; Marisa Sáenz, managing director of the Real Madrid European University School; Miguel Pardeza and Manolo Sanchís, directors of postgraduate programmes at the Real Madrid European University School; Álvaro Arbeloa and Santiago Solari.
Following the screening of a video about Xabi Alonso's career as a footballer and coach, the Real Madrid manager welcomed the students: ‘Thank you very much for being here and for the trust you have placed in the club at a crucial moment in your careers.’
The importance of Real Madrid's values
"As I experienced them as a player, I maintain them naturally. You have to respect the history of Real Madrid and how this great club has been built. That pursuit of excellence, generosity and effort are indisputable at the club. And at all levels, not just on the pitch. The pitch is what shines the brightest, but there are many other areas, which you will learn about, that make this work. Everything has to be linked, and that is an intangible asset of the club that is very valuable. At Real Madrid, things are not done any old way, and that has to be understood."
How to reach the elite
"I was lucky enough to recognise my passion from an early age, which was playing football. That makes it easier to choose your path. Once you set out on that path, you have to be willing to pay the price. You have to be willing to give 100 per cent to, first of all, get the opportunity. Then, if you want to keep climbing, you need that consistency and work ethic which, in my case, coming from a football family, I already had from an early age. Also, when you're already a player, you have to put things into perspective to be able to distinguish what's really important."
Decision to become a coach
"I was motivated by curiosity about the game. Now I'm a coach, but the best thing is playing. I envy the players a lot, but it's a healthy envy. I was always curious about why things happen, maybe because of the position I was in. That made me want to be close to it. In recent years, I said to myself, “I have to make this happen”. I had to prepare myself well to enjoy this new responsibility. I didn't want to take things too quickly, so I started here with the children. I wanted to take things gradually until I got here. You have to go out and try things to learn."
His experience in other countries
"When I was at university, aged 22, I went to study in Liverpool. At first, I listened a lot, spoke little, and paid close attention to things. That helped me land on my feet. Then, you mustn't be afraid; you have to have courage and your own personality to make yourself respected in a constructive way, and then the perseverance to take the right steps to get where you want to be. Seeing the world, meeting people from all over and other cultures helped me a lot. If I hadn't had that experience as a player, I probably wouldn't be here now."
Butragueño: ‘We will experience this adventure together and do everything we can to rise to the challenge.’
Emilio Butragueño welcomed the students of the Real Madrid University School: "Welcome to Real Madrid City, to our home, to your home. This is where, with the talent and effort of all of us at Real Madrid, we try to face the constant challenges with the hope of continuing to expand the legend of our club. Here, both the players and all of us live by the values that have been passed down from generation to generation and which are the pillars on which we have relied throughout our 123-year history. Thanks to these values and the unconditional loyalty of our hundreds of millions of fans, Real Madrid is today the most loved and admired club in the world."
‘Dear students of the 20th graduating class, you have decided to be part of this great history. We thank you for your trust in such an important year of your lives. We take it as a great honour and also as an enormous responsibility. We will live this adventure together and do everything possible to live up to your expectations.’
Elena Gazapo: ‘This year, the multicultural nature of our school is even more evident.’
"The shared values of two leading institutions, Real Madrid and the European University, have led us to consolidate this great university project, which over the last 18 years has trained more than 19,000 students from all over the world and covers all areas of knowledge in sport. This year, the multicultural nature of our school is even more evident. More than 80% of our students are international, coming from over 100 countries. I would like to express our gratitude and extend a warm welcome to Xabi Alonso, who is joining us for the first time at this opening ceremony. It is a privilege to have him here, and we wish him every success. I would also like to thank Emilio Butragueño for the affection and dedication he always shows towards the Academy”.
After the conversation between Xabi Alonso and Butragueño in the presence of the academy's new students, they also had the opportunity to ask the Real Madrid coach questions. The opening ceremony ended with the usual group photo.
