He is regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation and is known for his exceptional passing range. Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad , the main team of his home province Gipuzkoa.
After a brief loan period at Eibar , he was appointed as team captain of Real Sociedad and finished runner-up in La Liga in โ03 season. He joined German club Bayern Munich in and won three Bundesliga titles, including a domestic double in his second season, and retired in He made his international debut for Spain in April and went onto win Euro , the World Cup , and Euro He also represented Spain at Euro and the World Cup. On 23 June , Alonso won his th cap for Spain in the quarter-final of Euro against France , where he scored both goals in a victory.
Alonso retired from international football after the World Cup. His appearances make him the eighth-most capped player in Spain's history. Alonso was named head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in and completed an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in , winning the club's first Bundesliga title and first DFB Pokal since Alonso was born in the small town of Tolosa, Gipuzkoa , Basque Country , into a family known for its footballing prowess. He also featured in the national team, winning 21 caps over the course of his career.
It was here that his passion for football began as he whiled away his childhood playing at Playa de la Concha Shell Beach. Alonso was influenced by his father's playing, taking more pleasure in passing the ball well than shooting at goal. This talent would later prove to be an integral part of his club and international career.
Alonso and Arteta were ambitious and dreamed of playing alongside each other for Real Sociedad when they were older. Though they attended different schools, the two young players joined forces at the local youth side Antiguoko , playing games at the weekend. Alonso quickly progressed through the youth ranks and the reserve team at Real Sociedad winning the regionalised fourth tier in his single season with the latter and impressed enough to earn a first team debut at the age of Alonso's father particularly felt the move to the smaller club improved him as a player.
