Trent Alexander-Arnold on the 'idol' who persuaded him to make Real Madrid move
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been unveiled as a Real Madrid player as he speaks about what influenced his decision to move to Spain and leave Liverpool
Real Madrid new boy Trent Alexander-Arnold admits it is a 'dream come true' to play under 'idol' Xabi Alonso. Alexander-Arnold, 26, was unveiled as a Real player after he left Liverpool earlier this month to make the switch to the Spanish giants.
The England full-back will link up with new Real boss Alonso, who left Bayer Leverkusen to take charge of the La Liga side and replace Carlo Ancelotti. Alonso helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005 and spent five years at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold said: 'I've spoken to Xabi few times. I told him he was an idol of mine growing up, so to work with him is a dream come true. I'm very excited to be here. Whether you support the club or not, you have to respect the history.'
Alexander-Arnold is close friends with Real star Jude Bellingham and many believed his England team-mate was the one who convinced him to ditch the Reds for Los Blancos.
But he said: 'We spoke but it wasn't what people thought. 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 and it felt like the right time as well.'
Alexander-Arnold has signed a six-year contract with Real after the Spanish side paid Liverpool £10m to get him early enough to play in the Club World Cup which kicks off next week. He will wear the No.12 shirt and has confirmed he will have 'Trent' on the back of his jersey rather than Alexander-Arnold.
He said: 'My kit name being only 'Trent'? It's an easy explanation, I always found when I travel to Europe, the three-name situation and it being double-barrelled is. People call me Arnold, Alex, Trent. I thought let's make it simple. Just Trent.
"That's my name and I guess that's what people will call me.'
Alexander-Arnold upset some Liverpool fans by leaving at the end of his contract rather than staying at the club where he was at since he was six. Bhe won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups during his time in the senior side.
And revealed the club's owners, FSG, have said he's welcome back to visit any time as he leaves on good terms with Liverpool. But he admits he would only have left for one club and that was the one he has joined.
Alexander-Arnold added: 'I know for a long time that if I was ever to leave Liverpool it would only be for Real Madrid.
'Making the decision to stay or go wasn't an easy decision. In my mind I made the right decision.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Atletico keen on Robertson - would move appeal?
Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson as the Anfield club edge towards a deal to bring in Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez as their first-choice said last week he had not given his future much thought, with his focus on a enjoying a well-earned holiday after another long and successful season in which he won the Premier League for the second with the transfer window opening in a few days, the Anfield mainstay and Scotland captain's club future is unclear for the first time in eight would likely cost between £45m-£50m and is expected to be Arne Slot's preferred choice at Liverpool are keen to retain Robertson and allow current back-up left-back Kostas Tsimikas leave, but acknowlege that the 31-year-old may be minded to move on in search of regular football. Why would Robertson stay at Liverpool? Robertson has had a very successful stint on Merseyside since joining from Hull City in 2017, and has a year left on his has won everything, adding a second league title last season as Arne Slot's side comfortably claimed the Premier League. Robertson was still a big part of that, starting 33 of 38 games. And though some fans might be ready to move on, at 31 the defender is willing to fight for his place."I'm not getting any younger - I can't change my age - but I still believe I've got a lot to give," Robertson told BBC Sport Scotland whilst on international duty last week. "I still believe I have a hell of a lot to give for however many years I can keep going. "My body feels good at the minute. I can't tell you how I'll feel at 33 or 34, but I can tell you, at 31, I feel excellent."With his family settled in the city and his place as a club legend likely assured, moving away would be a big Robertson will likely have taken note of the acrimony around Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent exit for Real situations are not directly comparable given Alexander-Arnold is a local boy and academy product, who at 26 potentially has his peak years in front of whether Robertson is first-choice or not at Liverpool next season, the club will have a big pull, especially given they would arguably want him to stay and compete with Kerkez for a starting berth across a long season on several front. Why might a move abroad appeal? If Kerkez does join and bump Robertson down the pecking order, a switch to another Premier League club can not be ruled out with Atletico are prioritising him as their left-back target this summer, a move outside of the UK for the first time is on the was asked about the benefits of playing abroad while on international duty last week, in reference to Scotland team-mates Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay, who won Serie A in their first season at Napoli."When these players play abroad they see a different way of playing and lifestyle," he said. "That can only help. "Young lads coming through might now be thinking I want to go and try that. That's credit to those lads stepping out of their comfort zone."It will not have escaped Robertson's notice just how much of a hero McTominay now is in Naples after leading them to the Scudetto, while being named the league's best move guarantees success, but with Serie A and La Liga often described as a slightly slower pace week-to-week than the Premier League, a move abroad at 31 might give Robertson more years at the top. Would Atletico & Simeone be a good fit? With Cesar Azpilicueta and fellow left-back Reinildo Mandava out of contract, Diego Simeone has set his eyes on Argentine has become renowned for intense, aggressive play over his 14 years at the club, winning two La Liga titles and reaching two Champions League a few attempts to reinvent his style, defensive solidity is still a priority and Atletico had the second-best defensive record in La Liga last while Robertson was renowned for his assists in Jurgen Klopp's successful spell, he can do both sides of the leadership skills and personality on the pitch is also something Simeone would enjoy, and working with the Argentinian may itself be a draw for Robertson. Do fans think Robertson should stay? BBC Sport asked fans to get in touch with their views on Robertson's future recently, and here are some of the Robbo has been a fantastic player but his recent mistakes have led to goals conceded and this would be a problem in what I expect to be a tougher Robbo has been a great player for Liverpool, a real legend. Last season it was mistake after mistake at times and I think it's down to his game being all about high intensity and his age creeping up on him. His minutes need to be managed now, but he definitely still has a place in the Looks like Robertson's time as the number one left-back could be coming to an end. Robertson might have to get used to being the back-up for Robbo is our left-back. Whoever comes in has to knock him out of the position and not the other way round. He's got nothing to prove. Always need a Scot in the Move him on given his contract status. Tsimikas is an able an opinion? Have your say here
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Florian Wirtz's new Liverpool salary revealed as £116.5million star slots in behind Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk
Only two players will take home bigger annual paydays than Wirtz GOING WITH THE FLO GOING WITH THE FLO Florian Wirtz's new Liverpool salary revealed as £116.5million star slots in behind Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FLORIAN WIRTZ will reportedly pocket a mammoth salary at Liverpool. The Reds agreed a record Premier League fee for the Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder earlier this week. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Liverpool are on the brink of announcing Florian Wirtz as their record signing Credit: GETTY 5 The Reds have struck an £116.5million deal for the Germany international with Bayer Leverkusen Credit: GETTY 5 The 22-year-old is set to become one of the Reds' highest-earners Credit: REX The Merseysiders will pay the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions a whopping £116.5MILION for the 22-year-old. Liverpool have fended off the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid to land Wirtz, who has reportedly been handed a mammoth five-year contract. And according to Sky Sports, the German will pocket a whopping £245,000 a week during his Anfield stay. That works out to a whopping £12.7m a year, a fee which is nearly TWELVE TIMES what he currently earns at the BayArena. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS GYO TIME Gyokeres decides between Man Utd and Arsenal as he 'rejects Premier League club' A whooping £10.2m of that figure is guaranteed for the attacking midfielder, who will pocket the remaining £2.5m if individual and team performance targets are met. Wirtz's salary will make him the THIRD HIGHEST-PAID player at Anfield ahead of Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac-Allister, Allisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. Only Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who both inked new one-year deals with the Prem champions last season, will earn more than him. Egyptian Wizard Salah currently takes home a staggering £400,000 a week, which works out to be a jaw-dropping £20,800,000. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 Dutch defender Van Dijk, meanwhile, earns an annual salary of £18,200,000 thanks to his £350,000 weekly wages. Wirtz will be joined at Anfield by his former Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong. Florian Wirtz's TikTok star Wag is called 'the prettiest woman I've ever seen' ahead of his £116m move to Liverpool The Dutch defender became the Reds' first signing of the summer late last month. After the completion of his £29.5m move, the 24-year-old said: 'Liverpool fans, I'm going to give my all. "My energy, my work-rate. And hopefully, we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together. 'I'm just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me. "And I won't let you guys down and I'll give you the energy that you guys want.'
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Florian Wirtz's new Liverpool salary revealed as £116.5million star slots in behind Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk
FLORIAN WIRTZ will reportedly pocket a mammoth salary at Liverpool. The Reds agreed a record Premier League fee for the Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder earlier this week. 5 5 The Merseysiders will pay the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions a whopping £116.5MILION for the 22-year-old. Liverpool have fended off the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid to land Wirtz, who has reportedly been handed a mammoth five-year contract. And according to Sky Sports, the German will pocket a whopping £245,000 a week during his Anfield stay. That works out to a whopping £12.7m a year, a fee which is nearly TWELVE TIMES what he currently earns at the BayArena. A whooping £10.2m of that figure is guaranteed for the attacking midfielder, who will pocket the remaining £2.5m if individual and team performance targets are met. Wirtz's salary will make him the THIRD HIGHEST-PAID player at Anfield ahead of Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac-Allister, Allisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. Only Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who both inked new one-year deals with the Prem champions last season, will earn more than him. Egyptian Wizard Salah currently takes home a staggering £400,000 a week, which works out to be a jaw-dropping £20,800,000. 5 Dutch defender Van Dijk, meanwhile, earns an annual salary of £18,200,000 thanks to his £350,000 weekly wages. Wirtz will be joined at Anfield by his former Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong. Florian Wirtz's TikTok star Wag is called 'the prettiest woman I've ever seen' ahead of his £116m move to Liverpool The Dutch defender became the Reds' first signing of the summer late last month. After the completion of his £29.5m move, the 24-year-old said: 'Liverpool fans, I'm going to give my all. "My energy, my work-rate. And hopefully, we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together. 'I'm just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me. "And I won't let you guys down and I'll give you the energy that you guys want.' 5
