A little-known La Liga rule will prevent Trent Alexander-Arnold from wearing the number 66 shirt at Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold Set for Real Madrid Move on Lucrative Deal
According to talkSPORT, 26-year-old defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid on a five-year contract worth over £220,000 per week.
With his Liverpool contract expiring this summer, the right-back is set to end his 20-year association with the club if he finalizes the move to Carlo Ancelotti’s side after months of negotiations.
Having joined Liverpool’s academy in 2004 at the age of six, Alexander-Arnold rose through the ranks, captaining various youth teams before making his senior debut in 2016. He has worn the number 66 throughout his time at Anfield—a choice made by the club’s kit coordinator, Lee Radcliffe, to keep young players grounded.
However, a squad number change will be necessary at Real Madrid due to La Liga regulations, which require first-team players to wear numbers between 1 and 25. Currently, the available numbers at Madrid are 12, 24, and 25, though the latter is typically reserved for a third-choice goalkeeper.
While Alexander-Arnold has worn 2, 7, 8, and 10 for England, he will have to adapt to a new number at his next club. With his move to Spain nearing completion, all eyes will be on his official unveiling and squad number selection at the Bernabéu.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Previously Addressed His Future Amid Liverpool Exit Talks
Back in December, Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke to Sky Sports about his future, making it clear that contract discussions would remain private.
“I have been at the club 20 years now and I have signed four or five contract extensions… and none of those have been played out in public,” he said. “This one won’t be either.”
Despite his long-standing ties to Liverpool, the 26-year-old had refused to commit beyond the current season.
“I have always said I want to captain the club,” he admitted when asked about his ambitions. “That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands. I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum), is what I will say.”
When discussing what would influence his decision, Alexander-Arnold emphasized his hunger for success:
“The most important thing is always trophies. I want to win trophies. We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The (quadruple) was on for a while, I suppose.”
He added, “This season we are looking really good. It is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency. It will be difficult, but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can.”
Now, with reports confirming his move to Real Madrid, it appears that Alexander-Arnold has prioritized the opportunity to compete for silverware on a new stage.
