THE past no longer counts,' read the logo at Xabi Alonso's feet as he adorned the shirt Spain will wear for the first time at Wembley.It is a mantra that serves to keep the world champions from resting on their considerable laurels but it also jarred a little with the tone set m both Spain and England this week. The Spanish have been honouring their 100-cap internationals, while the FA spent the week fighting for poppies.Alonso - the perfect modern midfielder who plays the gatient passing game in pain's merry-go-round midfield just as well as he can ping a 40-yard pass to Cristiano Ronaldo's feet in Real Madrid's more cut-throat attacks - is a man who knows his history.Sat in a dressing room at Spain's training headquarters on the outskirts of Madrid, the talk is of the magic of playing at Wembley: FIFA's foolishness over the poppies; the debt Spain owes the Barclays Premier League; how old habits die hard as England's progress is slowed down by an obsession with tackling and the mistaken idea that selecting the best players is not akin to picking the best team.The old Wembley had so much charm, it's a shame I never got to play there. But the new one is fantastic and for someone who just loves football, you want to play at these grounds where great games have taken place,' says Alonso. who will win his 90th cap against England.When asked if he's one for taking photos to remember special matches, he raises the poppy debate that reached Spain late this week, ana about which, after five years playing for Liverpool, he nas strong views.Quality: Xabi Alonso in action for Liverpool'Sometimes I will take something from a game and now with the whole poppy thing maybe I will bring one back with me.The fact that they (FIFA) aon't know how to interpret the rules seems foolish to me.'You have to know when to be flexible. They have caused a lot of unnecessary controversy. There are things that can nave political overtones, but this is something that transcends politics.'In the end it seems that common sense hi prevailed. There are things that you have know to respect. This is something that cl_ only make football connect more with thi people. You have to know that on sucl emotional days it is nice that football makeL this gesture. I don't see anything bad in it. I think it is something really special,' says Alonso.Alonso's grasp on what Armistice Day means comes from his five-year spell at Anfield where he was taught the Liverpool way by 'Carra, Gerrard, Hyypia'.'I tried to listen and learn as much as I could from them. They had been there for years and they represented the values of the club and I recognised that was important. I learnt a lot from them and I definitely improved as a player. But it is not just about being a better Footballer; you grow as a person too when you adapt to another country,' says 29-year-old Alonso.
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