Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi: ‘Xabi Alonso is an idol, a role model’

Before Old Trafford trip the midfielder discusses Manchester United, how Xabi helped him and the loss of Alexander Isak

ANCHOR MAN: 'Gavi' of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. Pic: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Martín Zubimendi isn’t tired of the constant comparisons to Xabi Alonso but he reckons Xabi Alonso might be. 

“He’s an idol, a role model, so I’m delighted that he says nice things about me,” the Real Sociedad midfielder says, smiling not blushing, the attempt to embarrass him with eulogies from his hero, the footballer he most admires, having failed. The words are welcome, on one side at least.