Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool to win trophies at Real Madrid, but Los Blancos have ended the season without any silverware for the second year running after Barcelona won La Liga
Matty Hewitt Football Writer
15:56, 11 May 2026Updated 16:00, 11 May 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold plays during the match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, corresponding to week 35 of LaLiga EA Sports, at the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, on May 10, 2026
It hasn't been a great first season at Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: Getty Images)
Real Madrid's loss to Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday night handed Hansi Flick's team the title and left Los Blancos empty-handed for the second consecutive campaign. It represents a crushing disappointment for ex-Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who explicitly stated his switch to the Spanish capital was driven by trophy ambitions.
Real even paid Liverpool £10m to allow the academy product to depart Anfield early, ensuring his eligibility for the Club World Cup in the United States. Yet they were knocked out by PSG at the semi-final stage of that competition.
Despite being amongst the frontrunners for both La Liga and the Champions League, Los Blancos found themselves trailing considerably behind Barcelona domestically and were eliminated from Europe by Bayern Munich.
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On the domestic front, Real Madrid suffered defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final, and were shockingly beaten by Albacete in the Copa del Rey's last 16, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The club has endured a torrid season amid persistent chaos off the pitch. Uncertainty surrounds Kylian Mbappe's long-term future at the club, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde were embroiled in a dressing room altercation that resulted in the latter requiring hospital treatment.
Alexander-Arnold has also endured a frustrating season, featuring in only 28 matches after spending considerable time sidelined with injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid teammates were involved in a training ground bust-up(Image: Getty Images)
At his Real Madrid unveiling, discussing his departure from Liverpool in pursuit of silverware, Alexander-Arnold said: "It wasn't a question of whether to go or not. I always knew that if I ever left Liverpool, it would be to join Real Madrid.
"There came a time when I had to decide whether to leave or stay, and it wasn't easy.
"I'd been there for so long that it wasn't easy. There comes a time when you have to make a decision, and for me, this was the right one.
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"I've been lucky to play for the biggest team in England and now I'm at the biggest in Spain. Both have won many trophies and dominated their leagues. It's an honour to represent both of them.
"At both clubs, you're expected to win and perform well; there are many similarities. At Liverpool, you were expected to win trophies and it's the same here. That's what's demanded of you. The fans are used to it and we have to deliver."
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Questions have also emerged regarding Alexander-Arnold's prospects in the Spanish capital following criticism of his performance in the loss against Barcelona.