14 Things About Xabi Alonso

1) Born November 25th, 1981 in Tolosa, Basque Country, as Xabier Alonso Olano.

2) Alonso came from football passion family where his father, Periko Alonso was former Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona player. Alonso has an older brother, Mikel, who is a pro-footballer currently playing for Tenerife. Alonso has a brother who works in football as referee named Jon.

3) Alonso was being friended with Mikel Arteta--who is currently playing for Everton--when they were neighbors in San Sebastiàn. They lived near each other in Liverpool as well.

4) Alonso was regarded as a quiet and friendly person by his former teammates at Liverpool.

5) Alonso is married to Nagore Aranburu who is older than him a year. Then they have given first child on March 11, 2008 named Jontxu Alonso Aranburu. Alonso missed Liverpool's match against Inter during his son's birth. On March 30, 2010 his second baby was birth named Ane Alonso.

6) Alonso is currently playing for Real Madrid. He had ever played for Real Sociedad 1999-2004 and Liverpool FC 2004-2009.

7) Alonso had ever been Real Sociedad's captain under John Toshack guidance. He was 3rd captain in Liverpool after Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

8) Alonso wears number 14 since he played in Gaelic Football at the age 15. He always uses 14 as his number in each team he plays for. He had ever been used number 22 when his first appearances for Madrid, then he was given the number 14 jersey after the departure of vice- captain Guti.

9) Alonso won UCL Trophy with Liverpool FC against AC Milan dramatically. He scored a goal in final then brought score 3-3. In 2005/06 he won FA Cup. He also won Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 with Spain National Team.

10) Several members of the Spanish press, as well as a number of Real Madrid supporters have given Alonso a new nickname: La Barba Roja (The Red Beard).

11) In Euro 2008, Alonso featured mainly as a substitute but, with key players resting, he captained Spain in the final group game against Greece, earning the man of the match award.

12) In the 28th minute of the 2010 World Cup Final against the Netherlands he received a karate-style kick to the chest from Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong, this left Alonso in pain and in fear of a broken rib.

13) Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard are good friends. Thats why Stevie is so sad of Alonso departure. According to my vision, Alonso is Gerrard hispanic version. :P

14) Eventough Alonso isn't Liverpool player anymore but he shows how he loves his former club so much. It proves on his Twitter Account. He sometimes posts tweets "Well done Reds", "Good luck Reds".
He also following LFC official twitter, some of current LFC players, and new LFC owner John W. Henry.
So follow him @XabiAlonso.