This Wednesday, Xabi Alonso made a surprise return to Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s five-star training ground.

The Bayer Leverkusen coach was present at Real Madrid’s facilities after the Spanish club lent one of their training pitches so the team could recover fully in Madrid before heading back to Germany after their match against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

Xabi arrived early in the morning with the team on their bus. He led a training session on the Valdebebas pitch with nine outfield players and two goalkeepers, while the rest of the squad worked out in the gym. After the session, they headed to the airport for their 1:45 PM flight back to Germany.

This gesture highlights the strong relationship between Real Madrid and their former player, as well as the club he now coaches. “The team completed their morning training session in Madrid and will soon travel back to Leverkusen. Thank you for your hospitality, Real Madrid!” the German club posted on social media.

Seeing Xabi at his old club’s facilities is intriguing, especially amid rumours linking him with a future role at Real Madrid. The German team wasted no time after their defeat to Atlético, preparing for another crucial match this Saturday against Leipzig in the Bundesliga.