EARTHQUAKE AT THE BERNABÉU  Xabi Alonso gives the green light for Rodrygo to leave, but what truly sends shockwaves through the Real Madrid locker room is the name of his replacement: a “monster” from Liverpool that even the club’s management is worried about!

The calm before the new season at the Santiago Bernabéu has been shattered by news that has left both fans and players in disbelief. Xabi Alonso, the soon-to-be Real Madrid manager, has reportedly sanctioned the departure of Brazilian star Rodrygo Goes — a player many believed would be one of the club’s untouchable pillars for years to come. While the exit of such a talent is shocking enough, the real earthquake comes from the name of his possible replacement: a raw, unpredictable force from Liverpool who has divided opinions everywhere he’s played.

Rodrygo, at just 23 years old, has already carved his name into Madrid’s recent history. With match-winning performances in the Champions League and crucial La Liga fixtures, his blend of technical elegance and composure under pressure has made him a fan favourite. The Brazilian’s ability to drift between positions across the front line has been a tactical weapon for managers past, often unlocking defences when Madrid needed it most.

Yet Alonso, whose managerial rise at Bayer Leverkusen has been marked by meticulous structure and relentless pressing, appears to envision a very different attacking blueprint. Sources close to the club suggest that Rodrygo’s instinctive, free-flowing style may not perfectly align with Alonso’s disciplined, high-intensity system — a tactical divergence that could explain this stunning decision.

And then there’s the headline-grabber: Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan forward, currently plying his trade at Anfield, is known for his blistering pace, physical dominance, and an almost chaotic brand of attacking football. Since arriving from Benfica, Núñez has thrilled with spectacular goals but also frustrated with erratic finishing and occasional lapses in discipline. To Alonso, however, this “wild energy” might be the very thing Madrid’s new era needs — a focal point who can bully defences and create chaos in the final third.

Inside the Madrid dressing room, reactions are said to be mixed. While some players reportedly welcome the idea of adding raw physicality to the attack, others fear that Núñez’s fiery temperament could unsettle the harmony of a squad carefully balanced by years of experience and shared success. Even among Madrid’s top executives, the idea has sparked intense debate — torn between Núñez’s ceiling as a potential world-beater and the risks his unpredictable nature might carry.

Financially, any deal for Núñez would not come cheap. Liverpool, who hold the striker under contract until 2028, are unlikely to entertain offers below a blockbuster fee. For Madrid, who have already poured significant resources into reinforcing other positions this summer, making such a move might require additional player sales — with Rodrygo’s potential transfer fee likely being the catalyst.

For supporters, this is more than just a transfer rumour; it’s a philosophical turning point. Rodrygo represents the technical artistry that has long defined Los Blancos’ identity, while Núñez embodies a more direct, physical, and aggressive style of football. Choosing between the two is, in many ways, choosing between tradition and reinvention.

As the countdown to the new season ticks away, speculation continues to swirl. Will Alonso truly risk dismantling one of the club’s most exciting young attacking trios to bring in a player many see as a gamble? Or is this a calculated move to prepare Madrid for a more modern, physically demanding style of play that can dominate both domestically and in Europe?

One thing is certain — if this deal goes through, it will mark the beginning of Alonso’s Madrid in the most emphatic way possible: bold, unapologetic, and willing to rattle even the most sacred of club certainties. Whether it ends in glory or regret, the Santiago Bernabéu is bracing itself for aftershocks that could be felt far beyond Spain.

For now, Rodrygo stays, Núñez remains in Liverpool, and Madrid waits. But under the surface, the tremors have already begun.