The method by which Xabi Alonso persuaded Thiago Alcantara to sign with Liverpool has been made public.
Alonso and Thiago shared a dressing room at Bayern Munich, the league champion, for many years while they were teammates for Spain.
In 2020, Thiago parted ways with Bayern after a seven-year relationship. He then signed for Liverpool, where he has won the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup.
As Thiago’s contract with Bayern Munich expired, several teams indicated interest in signing him, and the midfielder spoke with Alonso about a potential transfer to Liverpool.
Alonso played with Liverpool for five years and was a key player in the team’s historic Champions League victory in 2005.
Alonso responded to the question of whether he communicated with Thiago prior to his transfer to Anfield by saying, “We chatted a lot that summer since he was thinking about the opportunity.”
I told him, “Thiago, you love football, you’re in a wonderful club, you’re in Bayern, and you’ve accomplished great things, but Liverpool is pure football, and you’ll enjoy it as much as you have.
Liverpool is the best place to be if you feel the time is right to start a new chapter.
“Once a Red, always a Red” isn’t just a slogan, in my opinion; it’s a fact. Not only me, I believe that the majority of us feel extremely connected to the club.
“Liverpool fans remember you no matter where you are in the globe, and they keep you more connected to the team.” The support and family from all around the world is what makes Liverpool the finest.
Alonso continued, “You could see that he’s a different player,” in reference to Thiago’s special skills. Because he is competitive and also possesses those magical Brazilian actions that are not very European, he is a unique talent.
He is competitive, but he is also versatile. He was a fantastic player at Bayern, and he is now a fantastic player at Liverpool.
Alonso also praised Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool and a multiple-trophy winner.
When I played for Madrid and Bayern, I enjoyed playing against his Dortmund, Alonso remarked. You could tell he was unique.
I recall that as soon as he signed with Liverpool, I knew he was the one.
‘We were playing Liverpool-Mainz at Mainz [in a pre-season friendly in 2006] and in the programme he mentioned that his favourite stadium was Anfield. That was on my mind.
‘When he signed for Liverpool, I [was like] , “He’s always had that in his mind and he’s the right man for the job.”
‘After that, what he’s done, it’s a treasure what we have in Liverpool, what Jurgen built and the inspiration for the players, for the club, for the fans, for everyone.’