Is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Story With Real Madrid Over?
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s time at Real Madrid appears to be coming to an end. Arbeloa has reportedly informed him that he is no longer part of the club’s plans after a season plagued by injuries and poor form.
From biggest signing to unexpected disappointment
What began as a strategic and high-profile signing now looks set to end as one of the fastest failed experiments in Real Madrid’s recent history. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who arrived in Spain in 2025 after running down his contract at Liverpool, is going through a critical moment at the Santiago Bernabéu. The English full-back, expected to revolutionize the right flank, has reportedly been told to look for a new club ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club invested a small fee despite his impending free agency, aiming to have him available in time for the FIFA Club World Cup. His debut came in that competition, with expectations sky-high. His ability to create chances, deliver assists and break lines was meant to elevate attackers such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, but reality has fallen well short of those hopes.
An adaptation that never arrived
Alexander-Arnold’s performances have been far below expectations. Injuries have been a constant obstacle, limiting him to just 11 official appearances all season. Since then, his presence in matchday squads has been almost nonexistent.
Within Valdebebas, there is a belief that the Englishman never truly adapted to Spanish football, nor to the tactical demands of Real Madrid. Despite the support of Jude Bellingham, a close friend and compatriot, his sporting integration never fully materialized. Internally, he is viewed as a predictable player, defensively vulnerable and lacking the offensive impact that justified his arrival.
Arbeloa makes a firm decision
The situation has reportedly reached a breaking point. Álvaro Arbeloa, the current head coach, is said to have held a direct conversation with the player to inform him that he is not part of the team’s plans. This is not a disciplinary measure, but rather a purely sporting decision, made after assessing his performance and long-term outlook.
This would indicate that he will not receive minutes under Arbeloa’s management, and the best solution for both parties is to seek a summer exit. The club believes that prolonging the situation would only harm both the player and the squad, effectively closing the chapter on Trent’s time in Madrid.
A blow to his international future as well
This scenario comes at a particularly delicate moment for Alexander-Arnold, who had recently worked his way back into the England national team picture and was hoping to play a key role ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Without regular football or prominence, that ambition is now seriously at risk.
Meanwhile, speculation over his next destination is already growing. The Premier League appears to be the most logical route to relaunch his career, with even talk of a sensational and controversial return to Liverpool, despite a damaged relationship with parts of the fanbase. What seems certain is that his adventure at Real Madrid is nearing its end, far sooner than anyone could have imagined.
