Retiring Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid "represents greatness" in football.

The former Real and Liverpool midfielder will retire at the end of this season with Bayern Munich.

Of Rea, he told Marca: "Yes, it is like the excellence of football. The club has achieved so much throughout the years and has a great prestige which makes it admired around the world.

"I have perhaps noticed that more from the outside looking in. When you are inside the bubble, you don't really stop to think about it. It is only when you leave that you realise how big it is. The club is footballing greatness."