From racing to Real Madrid: Exploring Fernando Alonso's love of the beautiful game

Fernando Alonso's love for football, and Real Madrid in particular, is well documented. Ahead of Los Blancos' FIFA Club World Cup campaign, the two-time World Champion expanded on what the club and the sport means to him, and drew similarities between the beautiful game and Formula One.

Formula One. Football. Fernando's passion burns bright for both and, this summer, the Aston Martin Aramco driver will be keeping an eye on the track and the pitch.

His primary focus: four Grands Prix in Europe ahead of the summer shutdown, starting with the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June and the team's home race at Silverstone on 6 July, as he bids to build on points finishes both in Canada and Spain.

But, in the rare downtime Fernando gets over the coming weeks, he may well check in with proceedings across the pond in the United States, as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup plays out until 13 July.

An avid Real Madrid fan, Fernando has a vested interest in this summer's tournament as Los Blancos get their campaign underway on 18 June against Al-Hilal, and he'll hope that they can stay the course to reach next month's final.

Ahead of Madrid's opening match, we joined Fernando as he spoke with FIFA to discuss his love of all things Real and football:

How did your passion for football begin? Did you play much as a kid?

"I always played football at school with my friends but I never joined a serious team or anything like that. I just enjoyed playing. Of course, motorsport was my biggest passion and the one I wanted to succeed in most of all."

Watching games with my father at home is one of my first memories. All my first memories are linked with Real Madrid.

You're a huge Real Madrid supporter. What does the club mean to you?

"A lot of things. I've been supporting Madrid since I was very young. Watching games with my father at home is one of my first memories. All my first memories are linked with Real Madrid.

"Later on, I had the opportunity to become a member and meet the president, the players and go to the games. My love for Madrid was always getting bigger and bigger."

What was that moment like being named an honorary member of the club?

"It was special because you feel like you are an important person for a club that you admire. Going on the pitch and everything else [that day] was magical for me. I was truly honoured.

"I grew up idolising so many Real Madrid players that stepped onto that pitch in the famous white kit. To then do the same was very special. It's a day that will live with me forever."

What are your thoughts on Real Madrid's season?

"It has been a tough season, which has been affected by injuries. Five defenders were out for a long time and that was the first of a few critical moments for the team. Then readapting some players to play the role of defender was compromising... one thing was compromising the next.

"With [Carlo] Ancelotti, he is the greatest manager we have had in terms of trophies and he will be missed, but I'm excited to see how we do now with Xabi Alonso as manager.

"It's a new era for Real Madrid in that sense, with new players already joining like Trent Alexander-Arnold. But that's sport; that's life.

"Nothing stays the same. Things move on and what happened in the past is easily and quickly forgotten. Those Real Madrid players that were my heroes when I was growing up aren't there anymore and it's the same in Formula One: drivers come and go, things move on. It's natural."

When you read those letters or hear their words, that's when it truly hits you – just how much you can mean to someone.

Let talk about your future for a moment... Spain is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030. Will you be there?

"That would be a good opportunity as I will probably not be racing at that time. I will 100 per cent try to get to some games.

"We really need [the World Cup]. The last time we hosted something important was the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games and, since then, I think the country has been looking for the next opportunity because the World Cup brings a lot of investment in facilities for the clubs and for the country in general, like airports. To have a World Cup now is one of the best things [to happen] to the country in a very long time."

You mentioned how there were Real Madrid players who were your heroes when you were growing up. Now, you're a hero to so many people. What does that feel like?

"It's a special feeling, but often you don't realise the impact you have on people until you meet them or hear their stories of support. Those moments open your eyes. You begin to understand the level of respect people have for you, how closely they've followed your journey, and how you've inspired them to aim higher or overcome their own challenges.

"You meet people who have gone through tough times and found strength in your career – they saw that you never gave up, and that gave them hope. Sometimes they write to share their stories, and when you read those letters or hear their words, that's when it truly hits you – just how much you can mean to someone.

"It's amazing the impact we can have as sportspeople."