Alexander-Arnold talks Alonso, Bellingham, Carvajal, Huijsen, Liverpool exit at Real Madrid presentation | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold was officially presented as a new Real Madrid player today, with the England international completing his transfer from Liverpool.

The right-back has signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2031 and will be wearing the No. 12 shirt – donned by club legend Marcelo in the past.

Following his official presentation ceremony, where Los Blancos president Florentino Perez welcomed him, Alexander-Arnold faced the media in his first press conference as a Real Madrid player.

On the transfer

Talking about his move to Real Madrid and what it meant to him, Trent said: “It’s very exciting. It’s a day I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m proud to be here, it’s a dream. I can’t wait to get started.”

On why he chose to make the move to Real Madrid now, the right-back replied: “I’ve been waiting a long time. A couple of weeks, not years. I’m very excited to be here. You have to respect the club.

“I’ve grown up watching Madrid win three back-to-back Champions League titles. I’m not surprised to see them winning titles. I want to be part of the success from now on. The club has a winning mentality. We are going to the US to win the Club World Cup.”

Alexander-Arnold will play under new manager and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. On being asked if there had been an exchange between them, the new signing said:

“It’s good to be able to talk to him. I’ve told him he was an idol for me and working with him is a dream come true. He has had an impact on the way I play. He did impossible things and has influenced me to work hard and train hard.

“We haven’t met yet and I’m sure we’ll have a chat in the next few days about what he expects from me. He’s a new coach and to get everyone to understand him, it might take a while. But he’s already shown what he is. I’m going to try to absorb the best I can.”

Talking about how it felt to meet Florentino Perez, Trent added: “A president who has won so many Champions League titles is incredible. I am extremely grateful to him for giving me this opportunity. I think we can win a lot together.”

Real Madrid’s newest Galactico. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

On speaking Spanish during his presentation speech, he said: “I was happy with the Spanish I managed to speak, which surprised a lot of people, but for me it was important to get that and start off on the right foot.”

On his teammates

Alexander-Arnold will compete with Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal for the starting spot at right-back in the upcoming season.

Giving the veteran defender his flowers, the Englishman said: “He’s a fantastic player. I respect everything he has achieved. You don’t achieve it without talent and hard work.”

Regarding his close friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham and the role he played in the transfer, Alexander-Arnold said:

“We’ve talked. I think it’s not what people thought, we talked about Liverpool and about Real Madrid. He wanted to know what Madrid is like. A lot of people think he’s played a big part in coming here, but Madrid need no introduction.”

Regarding his position on the field and where he wishes to field, the full-back left it up to the coach, saying:

“I just want to play, that’s the important thing. That’s for the coach to decide, I have to train well and show what I can do. If I get the chance next week, I’ll give my best. The work starts tomorrow for me, I’m excited to get started.”

On getting to train with some players who he has previously faced on the pitch as opponents, he said:

“I’m delighted to play with them. They are world-class players. They are the kind of players you want to play with and train with them every day. It’s very important.

“I’m going to be able to play great games with them. We’re going to make a really good connection. I hope I can replicate what I was able to do at Liverpool.”

When asked if he had spoken to any of his teammates, Alexander-Arnold replied: “I’ve spoken to Dean [Huijsen], we met during the holidays. He’s meeting a lot of the guys tomorrow and I’ll be able to talk to them.

“I’m really excited about that. I’ve still got to pinch myself, it’s a dream. I can’t wait to get started. I hope to get off on the right foot.”

On leaving Liverpool

A homegrown talent at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold had spent his entire career up until this point at the Merseyside club. So, leaving his boyhood club for Real Madrid was never going to be an easy decision for him.

“Joining a club like this is hard enough. It’s very exciting to play with these kind of players. Playing with them instead of against them will be good. It’s totally different things (contrast emotions),” he said.

Trent Aleaxander-Arnold leaves Liverpool as a PL Champion. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)

Talking further about the decision, he added: “It’s not a matter of when. I’ve always known that for me, if at some point I left Liverpool it was to go to Real Madrid. There are moments when you have to make a decision and making it has not been easy. On

“I’m not going to say it because it’s not true. I had been there for so long that I was part of it. I made the right decision and I’m happy about that.”

While there has been a section of Liverpool supporters that have hit out at him, the 26-year-old has nothing but love for the fans.

“Everything I’ve achieved with Liverpool has been unbelievable, it will never be forgotten. But I’ve gone out in a good way, I’m happy with the way I’ve done it. I couldn’t say anything bad about the fans. They’ve all been amazing, they’ve been so supportive.

“It’s been an incredible help. The owners have thanked me for everything I’ve done for the club and that I’m always welcome. To be told all that is unbelievable. Now to be here is very exciting. It’s unbelievable. Something not many players get to experience.”

On the differences between Real Madrid and Liverpool, he noted: “I’ve been lucky enough to play for the biggest team in England and now the biggest team in Spain.

“Both have dominated and won their leagues. It’s an honour to be able to represent both. They have a lot of similarities. At Liverpool they expected us to win titles and here too.”

On what was the hardest thing about leaving Liverpool, he added: “They are interconnected. I’ve been there for so long and I’ve achieved everything I wanted and achieved my dreams. I will always be dead against them, but I think it was the right time.

“I feel that, being the age I am, I’m ready to succeed somewhere else. This opportunity has come along and that’s what I did.”

Talking about his earliest memories of Real Madrid, Trent said: “It was a long time ago, to be honest. I remember Beckham playing and it was huge. I remember Cristiano. Madrid demands success.”

Source: RMTV