Real Madrid: The David Alaba doubters have gone silent

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made one of the most notable moves of the 2021 summer transfer window when he let Sergio Ramos walk and replaced him with Bayern Munich icon David Alaba. One of the most respected center backs in world football left to sign a lucrative contract with PSG for free, while Perez spent essentially the same money to ink a player who had only played the position at an elite level for the 2019-2020 season.

There were serious doubts about the move coming into the season. Ramos is one of the best center backs of all time, was a vital leader to Real Madrid, could score goals in a variety of situations, and had a sensational 2020-2021 season in terms of build-up play before a rash of injuries. Meanwhile, Alaba followed up a sensational treble-winning campaign at center back with a more underwhelming one in central defense, drawing criticism from his own fans as rumors about his future swirled in the background.

Beyond the Bayern fans, Madridistas had their own trepidation regarding this deal. Yet going into El Clasico, Ramos hadn’t played a minute for PSG due to injuries, while Alaba was already establishing himself as a leader and a world-class center back, picking up where he left off in 2019-2020. Perez already seemed vindicated.

If there were any lingering doubts about Alaba’s ability to step into the No. 4 kit and live up to the weight of it, those were torn to shreds in 90 minutes at the Camp Nou. As he has all season long, Alaba looked right at home in that shirt, He was a rock, never getting dribbled past, whereas he did some stellar dribbling of his own, charging up the pitch before unleashing a perfect left-footed drive into the far post. Find another center back who can do that.

David Alaba has that something special

Alaba’s goal lifted Real Madrid, and the opener proved decisive in a narrow 2-1 in the cagiest Clasico since the first meeting at the Camp Nou in the 2019-2020 campaign.

Already, Alaba is looked to as an example by his teammates. In a locker room filled with acclaimed superstars and larger-than-life characters who have been instrumental in four Champions League titles, Alaba is a leader among men. He is not afraid to shout as Ramos did, and he is certainly not afraid to get in the line of a goal-bound shot. In addition to his goal, he saved a goal at the other end with a block in the six-yard box.

It takes a special type of character and player to play world-class football in the No. 4 jersey on a Real Madrid team that is transitioning defensively and under a new manager. Alaba is that guy. He really is. It was his dream to move to Madrid and be the No. 4, the leader in central defense. On paper, this is his second-best position to left back. In reality, Madridistas would not have him anywhere else, nor could they imagine their defense without him.

It was reasonable to have questions about Alaba coming into the season and to miss Ramos. But closer examination of his time at center back at Bayern revealed a player who would very likely reach a new level at Real Madrid. That’s exactly what we have seen. Alaba has found a new gear to his game, urged on by the unique pressure of being the main man in defense, donning the No. 4 for the biggest club in the world.

And if you still doubt him, including if you support another club, then you can sit in silence. Because after this Clasico, nobody will entertain any Alaba slander. Not even from Uli Hoeness, who loves biting back at ex-Bayern players having a better time in Madrid. Alaba’s rocket into the far corner of the net was the ultimate silencer.