Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish footballer who plays for German club Bayern Munich as a central midfielder. Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home province Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at SD Eibar, he returned to Sociedad where then-manager John Toshack appointed Alonso as his team captain. Alonso succeeded in the role, taking Real Sociedad to second place in the 2002?03 season. He moved to Liverpool in August 2004 for �10.5 million. He won the UEFA Champions League in his first season at the club, scoring the equalising goal in the Final. The following season, he won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. He moved to Real Madrid for the start of the 2009?10 season in a deal worth around �30 million. After five seasons at the club, winning honours including a league title in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014, he was signed by Bayern Munich on a two-year contract. He made his international debut for Spain in April 2003 in a 4?0 victory against Ecuador. While playing for Spain, Alonso has won Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, and he has also represented his country at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. 

November 25th, 1981 in Tolosa (Age 42)