Everybody loves Xabi
Did you notice that some athletes are like wine, they simply get better and classier with time? Having them in sport is great, but things become little bit sad when it’s ”time to say goodbye”. When Xabi Alonso announced that his career will be over next summer, the Internet exploded. It seems that this Basque didn’t only win some of the most important trophies in football, he also won over many fans’ hearts all over the world. Let’s see some of the best reactions on social.
LIVED IT, LOVED IT, SHARED IT!
First of all, the way that Alonso said goodbye was very classy. Symbolic photo followed by emotional status was both sad and beautiful at the same time. This is a proof that it’s not always about what we say, because how we say it matters too.
Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game.
Geplaatst door Xabi Alonso op Donderdag 9 maart 2017
Alonso’s current club Bayern Munich really said goodbye in style. Even Berni the mascot remembered the fun times he had with Alonso.
One of the greats is saying goodbye. @XabiAlonso will retire from professional football at the end of the season. Danke, Xabi! ? #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/HrbdaUvC4e
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 9, 2017
? World Cup ?
? ? EUROs ??
? ? UCL ??
? ? Supercup ??
? ? Bundesliga ??
? DFB Pokal ??
? La Liga ??
? ? Copa del Rey ??
? FA Cup ?? pic.twitter.com/ibx0nogGse— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 9, 2017
Thanks for the memories, @xabialonso. Here's to making a few more before you finally hang your boots up! #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/tgEn9bkgBk
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 10, 2017
Mein Kumpel Xabi Alonso wird im Sommer seine Karriere beenden. Ich bin froh über die schöne Zeit, die ich mit ihm hatte und freue mich auf die restlichen Spiele mit ihm. Danke, Xabi! 👏 👍
Geplaatst door Berni op Donderdag 9 maart 2017
Real Madrid saluted Alonso by listing all the trophies they won together.
Un orgullo que hayas defendido nuestra camiseta, @XabiAlonso:
? Champions
? Supercopa de Europa
? Liga
?? Copa del Rey
? Supercopa de España pic.twitter.com/DEGYfBCUQO— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) March 9, 2017
Liverpool FC used Twitter moments to gather all memories from Xabi’s career in one place…
”Alonsomania” didn’t avoid his first club, Real Sociedad.
Realeko bat! Eskerrik asko, Xabi Alonso! 💙⚪️ #RealSociedadUno de la Real! Eskerrik asko, Xabi! 💙⚪️ #RealSociedad
Geplaatst door Real Sociedad de Fútbol op Donderdag 9 maart 2017
According to social media reactions, Xabi was really loved by his former and current teammates…
We lived and enjoyed your football. #GraciasXabi pic.twitter.com/Bk0lnZvmKA
— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) March 9, 2017
So lucky for sharing it with you in 3 different teams!! Thanks for everything "manoplas"!! LEGEND! #GraciasXabi https://t.co/ozN4FcvzIN
— Pepe Reina (@PReina25) March 9, 2017
Great player and good friend of mine. I'm sure you'll enjoy the time after your outstanding career @XabiAlonso ?? #AllTheBest #Memories pic.twitter.com/wfDe5vkTqe
— Sami Khedira (@SamiKhedira) March 9, 2017
A classy guy he is, Xabi didn’t miss a chance to send some love back.
Nos tocaron vivir de las mejores noches juntos. My number 9!! Gracias amigo, en Viena nos hiciste aprender a ganar. https://t.co/upL2hiW2Bw
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 10, 2017
Trufas, eres el puto amo en todo. Fact. https://t.co/41C7DPDSWU
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 10, 2017
Touching ”husband – wife” moment was another heartwarming thing to see.
Y sin tu apoyo yo nunca lo hubiera logrado. Maite zaitut!! https://t.co/p7vxPxHhHn
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 10, 2017
CONCLUSION
Sometimes we are not aware of just how great the things we did in our life are until we see that our actions touched so many people. Of course saying goodbye is not the easiest thing to do, but it’s good to know that at some point in our life we did something good, we left a mark, and will be remembered forever. In situations like this, it’s easy to realise that football is not just about results, trophies or money. It’s about emotions. This Alonsomania reminded us of some great football moments and made us relive them again. The number of reactions on social media thought us an important lesson: Love gets bigger if you share it!
Brankica Mandić
Overtime Sports Marketing
If you have any questions about sports marketing, feel free to contact me at brankica@promooovertime.com
