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Watch: Trent Alexander-Arnold wows at Real Madrid unveiling by speaking fluent Spanish

The era of Alexander-Arnold the Liverpool legend is officially over and that of Trent the Galactico has begun at Real Madrid.

The presentation of the right-back’s No 12 “Trent” jersey at his formal Bernabeu unveiling completed the journey from the Anfield academy to the heights of those footballers considered so famous that they are referenced by Christian name, the request symbolic of a new brand and a fresh start.

“It is quite an easy explanation,” said the 26-year-old. “I have always found when I travel to Europe the name confuses a lot of people with it being three names, double-barrelled. People call me Arnold, Alexander, Alex and Trent. I just thought let’s make it simple with Trent on my back. That’s my name so that’s what I guess people will call me.”

That said, those watching the England player’s opening address could have been forgiven for thinking adopting the title Don Juan might have been as appropriate.

If Alexander-Arnold’s transfer was considered the consequence of a prolonged Bernabeu seduction, this time the charm offensive was from the £10 million recruit as the ex-Kop idol introduced himself in fluent, pitch perfect Spanish.

“Thank you for this opportunity. It does not happen every day. It is a dream come true and I am happy and proud to be here. I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. I am going to give my all for the team,” Alexander-Arnold said in the native tongue of the Madridistas.

“Wow. Impressive. He has clearly had this on his mind for a couple of years,” swooned the translators from Real Madrid TV.

“A few months,” Alexander-Arnold later clarified, no doubt aware that cynics will presume this was an inauguration speech long in its preparation.

Given he is such a quick learner, those advertising foreign language crash courses have found a new poster boy.

Tougher assignments await the England man in La Liga, but as first impressions go this could not have been better choreographed, even if those left behind at Anfield tuning in may have been watching from behind the sofa, struggling to readjust to such an unfamiliar sight.

Trent Alexamder-Arnold admires the Real Madrid trophy cabinet

Trent admires the sizeable Real Madrid trophy cabinet - Getty Images/Pedro Castillo

Alexander-Arnold proved adept at identifying potential hand grenades within questions, careful to be respectful of all that he has left behind while deferential to the status and history of the club he has joined.

Asked to compare Real Madrid and Liverpool, he suggested the biggest difference might be the weather.

“I’m fortunate to have played for the biggest club in England and now I am at the biggest club in Spain. There are a lot of similarities,” he said.

“You are expected to win. You are expected to perform week in and week out. That does not change. We are expected to win trophies. That is a demand. We have to deliver.

“It was never a question of where [to go], it was whether or not to go. I have known for a long time that if I did leave Liverpool it would only be for Real Madrid. It was not an easy decision because of how long I have been there for, but eventually you have to make a decision and in my mind it was the right one.”

When Alexander-Arnold was encouraged to say he had dreamt of being a Real player even when training on the pitch as a Liverpool teenager in the Champions League, he politely declined the invitation.

“At that time, 10 or so years ago, I was not thinking about being here today,” he said, while the references to his Kop send-off rightly focused on the day of the trophy presentation and the well-wishes of the club’s hierarchy, as well as players, staff and the majority of supporters.

Ironically, the formalities began like a tribute to Liverpool as an assortment of clips showcased Alexander-Arnold’s many spectacular assists and goals under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. Whatever Real paid to sign the right-back a month early, Liverpool might have grounds to charge more in syndication rights given how many of the commentaries were courtesy of the Premier League’s champions own media channel.

The Anfield connection continued with references to Real’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, being one of Alexander-Arnold’s boyhood idols.

“He inspired me because of the way he passed the ball. I told him that,” said the defender of the former Liverpool midfielder.

New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso takes training

New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso (centre) is a hero of Trent’s - Getty Images/Pedro Castillo

Another topic he seemed enthusiastic to address was the notion that England team-mate Jude Bellingham has acted as a super-agent on Real’s behalf, the friendship between the pair vastly over-exaggerated as influential in the move.

“A lot of people think he played a large part in me coming here, but the club speaks for itself,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“We spoke a lot about Liverpool and Madrid as players and friends. You want to know what it’s like, of course.”

Of all the questions, one stood out as the wolf in sheep’s clothing, a seemingly innocuous request to sum up the qualities of Real’s local hero Dani Carvajal, whose position Alexander-Arnold wants to make his own.

“He is a fantastic player and I have nothing but respect,” he said, aware there is no bigger legend than the home-grown hero.

Alexander-Arnold was that once. Now “Trent” has accepted the challenge of matching the standards of one of the VIP guests listening to his every word, Roberto Carlos, alongside the current crop of superstars.

“I’m very lucky and proud to be here,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“These are the kinds of players I want to play with. I have admired them. I have played against them, so I know how good they are. To be a part of the team and to be playing with them, rather than against them, will be good.”

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