The Festive Maestro: Unwrapping Xabi Alonso’s eFootball Special Card & Maximizing His Potential
The holiday season in eFootball isn’t just about festive visuals; it’s a time for Konami to deliver special presents in the form of coveted player cards. Among the most celebrated gifts this year was the Festive Season Selection version of Xabi Alonso. This isn’t just another legend card; it’s a meticulously crafted digital homage to the Spanish metronome at his peak. Based on deep dives into gameplay, reviews, and stat analysis from dedicated eFootball content creators, let’s break down what makes this card special and how to train it for maximum impact.
Xabi Alonso: The Card—A Festive Symphony of Control
Pulled from the festive-season Nominating Contract, this Deep-Lying Playmaker (Orchestrator) version of Alonso immediately stands out. Compared to his standard Iconic Moment cards, this festive iteration offers a unique statistical profile designed for the modern eFootball engine.
Key Base Stats (as highlighted by community experts):
Passing Prowess: Low 90s in both Lofted Pass and Low Pass are the headline acts. This is Alonso’s primary weapon—capable of slicing defenses with grounded through balls or switching play with pinpoint 50-yard diagonals.
Technical Security: High ball control and tight possession (high 80s) make him press-resistant in midfield. He receives the ball under pressure and distributes it with calm authority.
Defensive Acumen: Unlike many creative midfielders, this card boasts defensive stats in the mid-80s (Defensive Engagement, Aggression) and a solid Tackle rating. This reflects Alonso’s real-world intelligence in reading the game and breaking up play.
Physical & Pace: Where he is deliberately tempered. His speed and acceleration are modest (low 70s), and physical contact is adequate but not dominant. This is a card for thinkers, not sprinters.
The card’s “B” rating in most offensive and defensive skills, paired with an “A” in Low Pass as seen in training menu previews, confirms his role: the ultimate build-up catalyst.
Xabi Alonso Training & Progression: Building the Perfect Conductor
This is where you, as the manager, define Alonso’s exact role. The community consensus, drawn from popular build guides, suggests two primary paths:
Path 1: The Pure Distributor (The Pirlo Blueprint)
This build maximizes his genius on the ball. The priority progression should be
Passing (8-12 Points): Max out Low Pass and Lofted Pass. This is non-negotiable.
Dexterity (8-10 Points): Boost ball control and tight possession to ensure he’s a safe haven in a crowded midfield.
Lower Body Strength (4-6 Points): A slight investment in balance helps him ride challenges.
Remaining Points: Allocate to Defensive Awareness and Tackling to bring them to a respectable level (~85), making him more than just a passenger without the ball.
Result: A player with 95+ passing, exquisite control, and enough defense to intercept. He will dictate tempo but requires a physically dominant midfield partner (e.g., Vieira, Rodri).
Path 2: The Balanced Sentinel (The Modern 6)
For those who want Alonso to be a more active defensive piece while retaining his passing range.
Defending (8-10 Points): Focus on defensive awareness and tackling, bringing them into the high 80s.
Passing (6-8 Points): Still heavily invest, but you might not max out both pass types.
Dexterity (6-8 Points): Maintain good control.
Physical (4-6 Points): Add points to Physical Contact for better duels.
Result: A more all-round, battle-ready midfielder who can win the ball and instantly launch an attack. His passing will still be elite, but his pure offensive creativity might dip slightly.
Universal Advice from the Pros: Do not waste points on shooting or speed. His finishing is poor, and no amount of training will make him rapid. Embrace his strengths.
Xabi Alonso Player Progression & In-Game Application
Trained correctly and played to his strengths, the Festive Alonso becomes the heartbeat of your team.
Position: He is exclusively a defensive midfielder (DMF) or central midfielder (CMF) in a double pivot. Never play him as a sole anchor man in a 4-3-3; his lack of pace and elite physicality can be exposed.
Playing Style: As an “Orchestrator,” he will actively seek the ball in deep areas, facilitating play from behind. Use him as your first outlet from defense.
Xabi Alonso Key Skills to Add (via Skill Training):
Through Passing: Enhances his already brilliant through balls.
Interception: Boosts his defensive positioning.
Fighting Spirit: Helps him maintain performance late in games.
Weighted Pass/Pinpoint Crossing: For even more passing variety.
Gameplay Tips: Use his double-tap pass (through ball) for driven, ground-splitting passes. His chipped through balls (lofted pass + through ball command) are also devastating. Defend with him using positioning and timely interceptions, not aggressive tackles.
Conclusion: A Festive Gift That Keeps on Giving
The Festive Season Xabi Alonso is not a flashy, goal-scoring highlight reel. He is the ultimate luxury player for the connoisseur of virtual football—a card that rewards patience, tactical understanding, and appreciation for the art of playmaking. By training him to accentuate his sublime passing and enough defensive grit, you secure a midfielder who can control the rhythm of any match. As the eFootball analysts rightly conclude: if you build your team through him, you’ll be conducting a festive symphony on the pitch all year round.
