Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has singled out young striker Gonzalo Garcia for special praise following the team's dominant 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the FIFA Club World Cup. The win, secured with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Garcia himself, ensured Real Madrid's place in the Round of 16 as Group H winners, where they will face Juventus. However, it was the performance of the 20-year-old Garcia that truly caught Alonso's eye, drawing comparisons to a Real Madrid legend.

Alonso didn't hold back in his assessment of Garcia, stating, "He is a typical number 9. In some aspects, he reminds me of Raul — he's always in the right position and always waiting for the chance. His work ethic is great." The comparison to Raul Gonzalez, a legendary figure at Real Madrid and a prolific goalscorer, is high praise indeed, highlighting Alonso's belief in Garcia's potential.

Garcia's goal against Salzburg was his second in three Club World Cup games, adding to an assist he also provided, showcasing his growing impact on the team. Alonso emphasized that Garcia's performance was no surprise, given his consistent form for Real Madrid's youth team, Castilla. "I knew him well. I've been following Castilla a lot. I knew a lot of Castilla players. To be honest, I am not surprised," Alonso said. "The players from Castilla — they get a chance and they fight for it. That's what he's doing."

Beyond his goal-scoring ability, Alonso also lauded Garcia's all-around contribution to the team. "I'm not just impressed by the goal and the assist, but also by his defensive work, knowing how to connect, not being left behind," Alonso noted. "That allowed us to play very closely together, and in attack, he had more freedom, getting into the box well and linking up with Gonzalo, who wears down the center backs." This highlights the importance Alonso places on team unity and work rate, even amongst attacking players.

While Alonso was generous in his praise, he also issued a challenge to the young striker, urging him to continue improving. "We need him more. We want him to be here, and we're happy for him," Alonso stated, adding, "We're pushing him to keep improving." This suggests that while Alonso is impressed with Garcia's progress, he believes there is still room for further development.

Notably, despite Garcia's impressive performances, Alonso has avoided guaranteeing him a place in the squad for next season, stating that "There are no decisions yet regarding the start of next season." This indicates that Garcia's future at Real Madrid remains uncertain, and he will need to continue to impress Alonso to secure a long-term role.

Real Madrid's victory over RB Salzburg cemented their position at the top of Group H with seven points. Their attention now turns to the Round of 16, where they are set to face Juventus on Tuesday, July 1st, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. While the focus remains on the team's overall performance in the Club World Cup, Gonzalo Garcia has undoubtedly seized his opportunity to shine, earning the praise of his manager and drawing comparisons to a Real Madrid icon.