Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for Real Madrid during their Club World Cup clash with Al-Hilal, playing 65 minutes in a 1-1 draw in Miami. Despite joining just six days earlier, the former Liverpool right-back was thrust straight into the starting lineup by manager Xabi Alonso.
Madrid’s opener came from Gonzalo Garcia before Al-Hilal equalised through Ruben Neves’ penalty. Los Blancos pressed for a winner in the second half, but were denied by the woodwork and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The 26-year-old was later substituted for Lucas Vazquez but left the field with a sense of pride, expressing how much it meant to debut for Real Madrid—something he called a dream come true. Despite the result, Alexander-Arnold remained optimistic about the team’s performance.
He thanked Real Madrid fans for their overwhelming support at Hard Rock Stadium, praising their global presence and saying their energy could be felt everywhere—from training grounds to social media.
When asked about his surprisingly fluent Spanish during his unveiling, Alexander-Arnold admitted he’d only been studying the language for “a couple of months.” He explained that learning Spanish was a personal goal to help him adapt quickly to a new environment and show his commitment to the club’s culture and lifestyle.
His linguistic skills raised eyebrows, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel joking during post-match analysis that the England international had likely been preparing for the move far longer than he claimed.
Back in Madrid, fans were excited but divided about his first outing. Some praised his effort and dedication, while others noted his need to improve defensively. Still, there’s plenty of belief that under Alonso’s guidance, he will sharpen his game and thrive.
Madrid’s next match in the Club World Cup sees them face Pachuca, where Alexander-Arnold hopes to help the team secure their first win in the competition.