After months of anticipation, Trent Alexander-Arnold finally made his first appearance for Real Madrid on Wednesday night in their Club World Cup opener against Al Hilal.
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The match, which also marked Xabi Alonso’s managerial debut for Los Blancos, saw the English full-back take the field under the sweltering Miami heat, proudly wearing his name across the back of his new kit. ..Continue Reading
All eyes were on him—some hopeful, others skeptical—as he stepped into the spotlight with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
Though his debut lasted just over 60 minutes, it sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans dissecting every moment of his performance.
The pressure may have taken its toll, as Alexander-Arnold struggled to find his rhythm, with familiar defensive lapses resurfacing.
He gave the ball away 12 times, won only one of four ground duels, and completed just one of five attempted crosses—far from the dream debut he might have envisioned, and he was substituted shortly after the hour mark.
Fans wasted no time having their say too. One took to X (Twitter) and said: “First impressions of Trent in Real Madrid shirt… off the ball needs a lot of work. His inverted runs mean Rodrygo is essentially having to play RWB to give the team ‘deep width’ in build up. Not tracking back quick enough either and causing holes in the backline”
While another revealed his struggles in the first half in particular, posting: “Trent lost more duels than any other player in the first half of Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal… Not the best debut so far.”
One stated: “Trent was a free transfer and Madrid still got robbed,” while another said: “I see what Liverpool fans are saying about Trent’s defending in literally the first 5 mins!”
A fifth fan shared their concerns about his future at the club after his debut, posting: “Can’t see Trent lasting long at Madrid.”
