Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa were two of Jose Mourinho's most faithful players, and they have both recently announced their retirements from professional football. The Portuguese manager has wanted to express his gratitude for their services in the three seasons he spent in the Spanish capital.
'The end of one career is the beginning of another. With the same success and the same dignity. Football needs men', the United boss said in his message, together with a photo of the three, which he posted on his Instagram account.
El emotivo mensaje de despedida a Arbeloa y Xabi Alonso de parte de Mourinho: pic.twitter.com/QBFZ1zXcky
— Señor Amaro (@MiguelMoreno07) 24 June 2017
Mourinho has made it clear that both the former right-back as well as the former midfielder were his two favourite men in the dressing room. The 'apples of his eye' with whom he might coincide in the dugouts.