Veteran defender David Alaba is officially preparing to bid farewell to Santiago Bernabeu at the conclusion of the current season. Spanish football giant Real Madrid released an official statement on Friday confirming that the 33-year-old Austrian international will depart upon the expiration of his contract. The defensive specialist enjoyed five highly successful years in the Spanish capital after initially joining as a free agent from Bayern Munich. Severe physical injuries over recent campaigns have unfortunately disrupted his ability to perform consistently on the pitch.These persistent fitness issues ultimately accelerated his impending departure from the club.
During his celebrated tenure wearing the iconic white jersey, Alaba firmly established himself as a core component of the squad across 131 competitive appearances. He successfully secured 11 major trophies during his five-year stint, including two prestigious UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga domestic championships. Real Madrid expressed profound gratitude for his immense contributions throughout one of the most triumphant eras in the institution`s history. The club emphasized its deep appreciation and affection for the player in their emotional farewell statement.
Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu for their final La Liga fixture of the season. This upcoming match represents the final opportunity for Alaba to say goodbye to the home supporters, alongside departing head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and veteran Spanish right-back Dani Carvajal. The Austrian defender has not yet revealed his next domestic destination. He will now shift his immediate focus to the international stage, where he is set to captain the Austria national team at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
