Trent Alexander-Arnold may need to adjust his preferred shirt number if he finalizes his anticipated move from Liverpool to Real Madrid this summer.
The 26-year-old defender’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of June, with reports suggesting he has already reached an agreement in principle to join Real Madrid.
Speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s future, alongside that of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, has dominated headlines throughout the season as all three players approach the end of their deals. ..Continue Reading
Real Madrid has been pursuing Alexander-Arnold for several months, aiming to pair him with England teammate Jude Bellingham in Madrid while grooming him as Dani Carvajal’s successor at right-back.
Although the Spanish giants had a £20 million bid rejected by Liverpool during the January transfer window, they have now reportedly secured a five-year contract for Alexander-Arnold worth approximately £12.5 million per year.
However, one notable change Alexander-Arnold will face in La Liga is his shirt number.
His signature No.66—worn since his academy days at Liverpool—will not be allowed, as La Liga rules prohibit numbers above No.25 for registered first-team players.
This regulation also prevents clubs from retiring shirt numbers in honor of legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Higher numbers are only permitted for youth players who are not registered under the same guidelines. For example, Raul Asencio currently wears No.35 for Real Madrid.
The only available numbers for Alexander-Arnold at his new club are No.12, No.24, and No.25.
While Alexander-Arnold has not publicly confirmed his decision, his move seems imminent. Liverpool manager Arne Slot is rumored to be eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as a potential replacement at right-back.
In October, Alexander-Arnold expressed his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or and solidify his legacy as the best right-back in football history, reflecting his lofty career aspirations.
Asked how he’d like to be thought of in 20 years’ time, he said: “A legend of football. Someone who changed the game – that’s the main thing that I have: ‘don’t play the game, change the game’.
“So that’s the legacy I want to have: being the greatest right-back to ever play football, if I’m honest. I know that there’s been so many out there, but I’ve got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
