Trent Alexander-Arnold has officially been presented as a Real Madrid player, closing the chapter on his long association with Liverpool. The move, long anticipated, has already sparked headlines—not only for its timing and symbolism but also due to two unexpected decisions the 26-year-old unveiled during his first appearance in the Spanish capital. He will not be wearing his iconic No.66 shirt from Liverpool, nor will he have “Alexander-Arnold” on his back.
The reasoning behind these changes, as Alexander-Arnold later revealed, speaks volumes about his desire to adapt quickly and seamlessly into his new surroundings—both on and off the pitch.
Alexander-Arnold’s unveiling comes just before Real Madrid’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the club is placed in Group H. Although the English right-back technically joined on a free transfer, Madrid chose to pay £10 million to expedite his arrival, ensuring he would be part of their squad for the prestigious tournament rather than waiting until the end of June.
During the presentation, the Englishman impressed both fans and journalists by delivering parts of his press conference in fluent Spanish, reflecting the level of preparation and seriousness he’s bringing to this transition. He posed for photographs inside the club’s trophy-laden museum and spoke warmly of the challenge ahead.
What did Alexander-Arnold say about his kit number change?
While fans may have expected him to carry on with the No.66 jersey he wore throughout his career at Liverpool, La Liga rules prohibited that possibility. Senior players must wear squad numbers between 1 and 25, with 1, 13, and 25 traditionally reserved for goalkeepers. That left Alexander-Arnold with only a couple of available options: 12 and 18.
He opted for No.12, a number that carries significant weight at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was famously worn by Marcelo, the Brazilian left-back who spent over a decade at the club and lifted 25 trophies during his time in Madrid.
While Alexander-Arnold didn’t directly comment on his choice, the connection with Marcelo’s legacy is an obvious nod to the history he now steps into. Interestingly, Eduardo Camavinga also wore No.12 briefly before switching to the more traditional No.6, opening the door for the England star to take it.
What did Alexander-Arnold say about his kit name change?
The second major reveal during his presentation was that the player would now go by a different name—at least on his shirt. Instead of the full Alexander-Arnold, the back of his Real Madrid jersey will simply read: “Trent.” When asked about this change, the defender gave a candid explanation: “Quite an easy explanation for that, to be honest,” he said.
“I’ve always found that when I travel to Europe the whole name situation confuses a lot of people, with there being three names and the double-barrel, 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 thought, let’s make it simple, let’s make it easy.”
“Trent on the back, be known as Trent, that’s my name, so that’s what I guess people will call me.” The decision reflects a new branding strategy for the 26-year-old, who has already changed his Instagram handle from @trent66 to simply @trent. It’s a symbolic departure from the Liverpool chapter and a step into a more streamlined, global identity.
