Bayer Leverkusen hero Xabi Alonso recalls wholesome Mikel Arteta story

Considering they once represented two fierce Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton, there is a mutual respect between current Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso and current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. As two Spanish head coaches who are at the top of their games right now, there are lessons they could learn from one another.

Well, in truth, their history stretches back to before their days in England. In fact, after six years in Barcelona, Xabi Alonso moved to San Sebastien as a child. It was there where Xabi Alonso discovered his love for football and it was coincidentally where he first met Mikel Arteta (The Guardian, 2006).

The two would often kick ball at Playa de la Concha. It should come as no surprise that Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta would wow the other children and even their elders on the beach, as they would compete to outdazzle each other.

It went on to become what made them the most successful; that innate desire to one-up each other and be the kid that stands out above the rest. In many ways, they are still those kids on the beach internally but externally, they are two of the best head coaches in the world right now.

READ MORE: 5 greatest moments of the Mikel Arteta era at Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen hero Xabi Alonso recalls wholesome Mikel Arteta story

In a wonderful story shared with The Players Tribune, Xabi Alonso recalled a wholesome memory about Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Alonso recalled how he would meet up with Mikel at the beach and they would skate, surf, play tennis and of course, play football.

In his own words, Alonso said: "His name was Mikel. Every day, we were taking our skateboards down to the beach to play tennis, to surf, and of course to play football. This kid, he was maybe even crazier than me about football. He was a little bit younger than me and my friends — just a few months maybe. But you know how you always push your ‘little friends’ at that age?

Well, we tried, but he was a competitive monster. He wanted to win so badly, even if it was just a game on the beach. It was a love for the game that you cannot teach. You are born with it, I think. It bonded us very closely. And it still does, to this day. A few months ago, I got a call from my old friend Mikel. And as always, we talked football…”

"He was a competitive monster. He wanted to win so badly, even if it was just a game on the beach."

- Xabi Alonso on a young Mikel Arteta

So, there is a great mutual respect between Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso. The two childhood friends who would benefit from competing against each other, went onto become two of the greatest midfielders during their time, playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe (Liverpool, Everton, Rangers, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Arsenal).

But are the two still as bonded as they once were or has competing in the same sport dwindled that friendship? Well, the answer is that they DO still have a great bond with one another.

Xabi Alonso spoke about a recent conversation with Mikel Arteta. It occurred because Arsenal happened to meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League, while Bayer Leverkusen met West Ham in the Europa League. Therefore, the two Spanish managers exchanged tips about the two clubs they knew well enough about.

In his own words, Xabi said: "A few months ago, I got a call from my old friend Mikel. And as always, we talked football…. He said, 'We’ve got Bayern Munich in the Champions League this week, what do you think?' And I said, 'We’ve got West Ham, what do you think?'"

Next season, both Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen will be in the UEFA Champions League. While the draw is yet to be made, there is a possibility that the two could meet, if not in the group stage, then the knockout stage. It would be excellent to see the two world-class coaches meet once again, in what would surely be a spectacle of excellent tactical philosophies.