Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid has been confirmed by the latter after a long and drawn-out transfer saga – and, amid the revelation that his typical shirt number, 66, is off the table, four possible options have been revealed.
Alexander-Arnold – widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Liverpool history – will arrive on Spanish soil a month before his Anfield contract expires after Xabi Alonso coughed up a fee of €10 million so he was able to play at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Born and bred on Merseyside, he has penned a six-year contract with the La Liga outfit and will soon link up with compatriot Jude Bellingham for Los Blancos – but he will not be wearing the 66 on his shirt, a number synonymous with his 354-outing Anfield spell.
Alexander-Arnold’s Potential Read Madrid Number
In Spain, the defender’s typical No.66 shirt is off the table
Ever since Alexander-Arnold graduated from Liverpool’s prestigious academy ranks, the 26-year-old has routinely donned the No.66 shirt – which is rather atypical for a right-back. However, No.66 is off limits at the Santiago Bernabeu – and all of Spain's top tier, for that matter.
That’s because of a rule, as outlined in Article 239 of the Spanish Football Federation’s rulebook concerning “Player Uniforms”, that only allows first-team players to wear squad numbers from 1 to 25. La Liga sides, for the same reason, cannot retire shirt numbers.
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So, with that in mind, what are the numbers that the world-beating Liverpudlian could adopt for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond as Carlo Ancelotti's exciting successor, Alonso, and his entourage look to get the best out of the attack-minded right-back?
During his transition from exciting youngster to being commonly admired as one of the best defenders in the world, Alexander-Arnold wore numbers such as 2, 15, 17 and 18. However, 2 and 15 are respectively occupied by Dani Carvajal and Arda Guler.
With Jesus Vallejo on his way out the revolving exit doors, the No.18 shirt is available. Lucas Vazquez’s departure following the Club World Cup will also free up No.17 – but there are also two other numbers that will be in the offing in the Spanish capital.
Marcelo, previously of Los Blancos, made the No.12 (the lowest number that is, as present, free) his own and Alexander-Arnold could follow in the full-back’s footsteps. Elsewhere, as reported by Madrid Universal, No.24 is also on the table.
In terms of the No.12 strip, it is unlikely that he’ll be able to take up that honour. Albeit an unwritten rule of sorts, the majority of clubs in Spain’s top flight leave that number free as a show of respect to their supporters, whom are referred to as the 12th man.
On the international stage, Alexander-Arnold has worn a plethora of numbers as former England head honcho Gareth Southgate attempted to find his best position – and in doing so, the versatile ace donned the likes of 2, 7, 8 and even No.10, which is typically left for a team’s chief attacking midfielder.