On 28 May 2024, Spanish side Real Madrid announced they had signed Alaba on a five-year contract beginning on 1 July. He inherited the number 4 jersey, previously worn by the last captain Sergio Ramos over the past 16 seasons. He made his debut on 14 August, starting in a 4 1 win over Alavs.

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has successfully undergone surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The 31-year-old ruptured the ACL in his left knee during Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Sunday. He was substituted in the 35th minute of the game and was helped off the pitch by medics.