Why Trent Alexander Arnold Can’t Wear No.66 at Real Madrid After Announcing Liverpool Exit
- Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season
- The England international is in the final month of his contract and has been free to discuss a move abroad
- He won't be able to wear No. 66 at Real Madrid if he ends up joining the Spanish club in the coming months
Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The right-back wears number 66 on his jersey, but he probably won't wear that number when he arrives at Real Madrid.
Source: Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold announces Liverpool departure
The defender announced the news on Monday, May 6, a week after the Reds sealed the Premier League title.
"This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life," he said in a video shared on social media. "This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all."
"I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally."
Since making his debut in 2016, he has played 352 games, scored 23 goals and provided 86 assists. He has won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.
He has been strongly linked with Real Madrid. He could line up alongside Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior.
Why won't Alexander-Arnold wear No. 66 at Real Madrid?
According to the BBC, Real Madrid is in talks about finalising the free transfer of Alexander-Arnold to the Santiago Bernabeu. The report adds that the European champions want to finalise the deal before the start of next season.
It also adds that nothing has been signed, but the talks have entered the final stages. His deal will end in June.
According to Give Me Sport, La Liga clubs are not allowed to wear numbers higher than 25. The reason for this is that all numbers correlate to the number of players that can be registered during the season.
Every La Liga team has a maximum of 25 players, and every player must wear a number between 1-26. What number will Alexander-Arnold wear?
Youth players who are not registered but are eligible to play for the first team can wear a number above 25.
Moreover, teams cannot retire numbers. If they do, they will have one fewer number to use.
Source: Getty Images
The defender was the foundation of Liverpool's revival under Jurgen Klopp and is the latest piece to exit after Sadio Mane.
Best reactions to Alexander-Arnold news
"I can't believe I spent 8 years pretending that he could defend just for him to leave like this."
"Trent, Rudiger, Alaba, and Mbappe all on free transfers is immense business. Perez is a shrewd operator."
"Leaving his club on a free… i mean sure most people would choose the biggest club itw but leaving like that shows his lack of a moral sense."
"It’s a shame that we lose Trent on a free (if he actually ends up leaving), but apart from that I’m not really bothered. Obviously would want him to stay - he’s class - but I support Liverpool FC, not individuals. Simple."
"My genuine opinion: do what’s best for your career, but why take an inflated signing on fee in exchange for the fee your club should have gotten? Would clubs still have been keen on him at £60m, £70m, £80m? Of course they would. He’s looking out for himself over ‘his’ club."
Why Liverpool could make millions off Alexander-Arnold
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Real Madrid will have to pay a fee to Liverpool despite him leaving on a free transfer.
He will likely sign for Real Madrid in June, but the Spanish side are reportedly willing to pay a small fee to get him early.
Alexander-Arnold will likely take over from Dani Carvajal, who is nursing an ACL injury.
Martin Moses, the head of department for sports, contributed to this article by adding details about Alexander-Arnold's departure.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
