Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid: Alonso’s role, Bellingham talks and Liverpool goodbye

“I still have to pinch myself to understand whether this is real or just a dream.”

Despite criticism from some Liverpool supporters, stepping onto the stage as a Real Madrid player was an unforgettable moment for Alexander-Arnold.

Facing the global media, the English star opened up on everything from his Spanish language skills to his decision to leave Liverpool.

Childhood memories of Xabi Alonso

After Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, the victory parade bus passed in front of Alexander-Arnold’s childhood home. One of the players celebrating on that bus was Xabi Alonso, who had scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the final.

Working with Real Madrid’s new head coach holds a special meaning for him:

“I grew up a Liverpool fan and of course I watched Xabi in that final,” he said with a sparkle in his eyes. “I spoke to him a little and told him he was one of my idols. Working with him is like a dream come true.”

“He’s probably one of the people who influenced my playing style the most. Watching how he passed the ball made me work on that aspect of my game. I told him that too. Watching him made me more determined and helped set my own standard.”

A simple conversation with Bellingham

The close friendship between Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham had often fuelled speculation about the transfer. But Trent addressed those claims directly:

“A lot of people think he played a big role in bringing me here, but to be honest, this club speaks for itself,” he said with a casual shrug.

“Yes, we talked. But it wasn’t the kind of conversation people think it was. We talked about Liverpool, we talked about Madrid — the kind of things players and friends talk about.”

“Of course, you want to know what a place is like. In the national team, he was the only one who had played for Real Madrid, so everyone was asking him questions.”

From Liverpool to Madrid: the moment of decision

After a flawless opening in Spanish, Alexander-Arnold switched to English and couldn’t hide his excitement in his first sentence. “I’m really, really excited,” he said, describing today as “a day I’ve been waiting for for a long time.”

To avoid misunderstanding, he quickly clarified:

“When I say I’ve been waiting a long time, I mean weeks, not years. I’m very excited to be here. I have great respect for Real Madrid. I’ve always admired their players, their trophies. I grew up watching them win. I wanted to be part of that history. This team has a championship mentality.”

He also made clear his respect for Liverpool:

“If I was ever going to leave Liverpool, it would only be for Real Madrid. At some point, I had to make a decision and this felt like the right time. I had the chance to play for the biggest club in England, now I’ll be at the biggest club in Spain.”

With these words, he expressed both his appreciation for his past and his excitement for a new beginning.

In the 2024/25 season, Alexander-Arnold made 44 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions. He scored 4 goals and provided 8 assists, ending the season with double-digit goal contributions.

To date, the star has played 354 official matches for Liverpool, scoring a total of 23 goals and registering 92 assists.

First reactions from Real Madrid fans

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid was met with a positive response from the club’s supporters. Many fans expressed their satisfaction on social media following the announcement.

Comments focused especially on what role Trent would play in Xabi Alonso’s system. Some fans posted messages like “The right side will be stronger now” and “Trent can make a difference in this system.”

Soon after the official announcement, content featuring Alexander-Arnold in the Madrid kit quickly gained traction across social media platforms. Overall, fans shared the view that this move would strengthen the team.