Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke about Jude Bellingham, the name on the back of his shirt, and his decision to speak in Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 12: Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks during his unveiling as new player of Real Madrid at Valdebebas training ground on June 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks during his unveiling as new player of Real Madrid at Valdebebas training ground on June 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain
(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has insisted Jude Bellingham did not play a big part in his decision to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid. The former Reds vice-captain left his boyhood club for the Spanish giants in a £10m deal last month.
Alexander-Arnold only had a month left on his contract and had already confirmed he would not be signing a new deal with Liverpool. And with Real Madrid competing in this summer’s inaugural revamped FIFA Club World Cup, the La Liga outfit paid for the Reds to release the defender early from his contract in order to compete in the tournament in the United States.
Alexander-Arnold is well-documented to be close-friends with Real Madrid superstar Bellingham.
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But he has dismissed the notion that his England team-mate played a decisive role in his decision to trade Anfield for the Bernabeu.
“Yeah, we spoke [about Real Madrid],” he said. “I mean it wasn't exactly, I guess, what people think it was. But we spoke.
“We spoke a lot about Liverpool, we spoke a lot about Madrid. That’s the kind of conversations you have as players and friends.
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“You want to know what it is like, of course. At the national team, he’s the only player who knew what it’s like to be at Real Madrid so everyone was asking him questions.
“I think a lot of people think he played a huge part in me coming here but to be honest, the club speaks for itself.
“It was a huge opportunity for me, it felt like it was the right time for me as well. It was a chance for me to go and do that.”
Alexander-Arnold set tongues wagging when being unveiled as a Real Madrid player as it was revealed he would now go by just ‘Trent’ on the back of his shirt and he gave his welcome message in fluent Spanish.
The 26-year-old - who will wear the number 12 jersey - revealed he had been learning the language for a number of months ahead of his move to Madrid before explaining the name-change on the back of his shirt.
“(I’ve been practising for) a few months, a few months. I think he (club president Florentino Perez) was happy with the Spanish I was able to speak, which I think surprised a lot of people.
“But I think, for me, it was important to be able to do that. It shows the intent that I’ve got to come here and have a good start, to get off on the right foot and achieve things straight away, starting with the Club World Cup.
“It's quite an easy explanation for that (changing his name on his shirt) to be honest. I’ve always found when I travel to Europe, the whole name situation confuses a lot of people.
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“As there’s been three names, double-barrelled, Alexander-Arnold. People call me Arnold, people call me Alexander, people call me Alex, people call me Trent.
“There’s a lot that goes on so I just thought let's make it simple, let’s make it easy. Trent on the back, be known as Trent. That's my name so I guess that is what people will call me!”