David Alaba leaves Real Madrid after five years

Austrian defender David Alaba will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season when his contract expires, the club announced on Friday.

The 33-year-old has been in the Spanish capital for five years after joining from Bayern Munich, but serious injury problems have prevented him from playing consistently.

Alaba won 11 trophies, including two Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles, and made 131 appearances for the club.

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«Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to a player who has been part of a team that marked one of the most successful periods in our history,» Madrid said in a statement.

Alaba, like right back Dani Carvajal and outgoing coach Alvaro Arbeloa, can say goodbye to the club’s supporters on Saturday in Madrid’s last league match of the season, at home against Athletic Bilbao.

The centre-back, who has not yet announced his next destination, will captain Austria at the World Cup this summer.

Published on May 22, 2026