Follow live coverage as Real Madrid present new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold
'It's a dream come true... I can't wait to show all the Madridistas my football'
The defender sealed a move to the Spanish giants moving from Liverpool earlier this month
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Here is a translation from a line in Florentino Perez's speech:
"At Real Madrid, you will find teammates who form a great family, some of them good friends of yours, like our dear Jude Bellingham. And I want you to know that the defining trait of Real Madrid is that, in addition to being great players, they are all true Madridistas. You will quickly understand what Real Madrid is. Every title is a boost to try again."
Trent is also speaking in Spanish, and making a decent stab at it, as far as my [lack of] understanding of the language goes.
Seems very fluent at least, even if he is reading an autocue.
His opening remarks are met with an ovation...
Trent Alexander-Arnold is sitting in the first row, watching the video.
Alongside him are his girlfriend, Estelle Behnke, his parents and brothers.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is now on stage to begin the presentation in earnest.
His opening gambit is, understandably, all in Spanish.
Sadly, we have no translation...
The highlights reel, which is being played in the room, began with the visuals from Trent Alexander-Arnold's early days as a Liverpool youth player to his best goals, assists, skills and defensive interventions from his Liverpool and England career.
It also cheekily includes that assist to Divock Origi in the Reds' famous comeback against Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Re starting a new job, I've always liked the idea of coming out the lift on the first floor, and walking down the stairs to the main foyer where all other employees have been gathered, with my own walk on music like the Premier League darts players. FYI I'd chose Strange Town by The Jam.
Chris
Alexander-Arnold is sitting in the crowd watching a montage of clips from his career highs at Liverpool.
Looks a touch awkward.
But you would, wouldn't you?
As if by magic, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears in a natty black suit alongside Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez...
Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold are keeping us waiting.
We are expecting live visuals from his presentation as a Real Madrid player any time now.
The video, provided by Real Madrid TV, can be streamed by clicking on the 'Watch live' tab at the top of this page.
Just waiting on an update, to see whether they stick to the schedule:
We understand this schedule is fluid and may be subject to change...
Real Madrid and Barcelona have taken the public player presentation to a new level, but the start of the modern trend can probably be traced back to the arrival of Argentina star Maradona to Napoli in 1984.
An estimated 70,000 supporters turned out at the club's Stadio San Paolo to celebrate his signing, which was unprecedented at that time.
He would go on to become a cult hero and return the club to the top of Serie A.
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@Anon 11.29, I once had to sing a Christmas song as part of my official unveiling at a new job. Bit weird but harmless enough.
Stephen
The answer is not really... but there is always a twist.
Usually in Britain, you can see a player's signing being announced at a news conference or through a video on social media, but we never see anything like this one today.
So does Britain need to do some catching-up?
Social media has played a major role in how clubs announce new signings.
In today's unveiling, which is due to happen any time now, Alexander-Arnold will be met by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez for the formal signing ceremony.
After the presentation, Trent Alexander-Arnold will speak to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City.
However, in Britain we are seeing a rise in the social media trend of posting a signing.
Check out Burnley's now framed new arrival posts as an example of the creative art.
Have you ever daydreamed about signing for Real Madrid?
How about if it turned into a nightmare?
Imagine the scene - fans wait with anticipation to see their new hero, but you fluff your lines and make a hash of the keepy uppies.
That's exactly what happened to Theo Hernandez in his presentation after becoming the first player in 17 years to make the switch from city rivals Atletico.
The France international defender just about managed six before hastily kissing the badge.
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Not really fussed how players get revealed. Would love to hear people’s ideas about how they would like to be introduced to their next company if they change jobs.
Anon
Image source, OptaCould Trent Alexander-Arnold help fire Real Madrid back to the top?
He is sure to improve the supply line to the like of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe with his exquisite passing range and ability to create chances.
No Liverpool player attempted more than his 299 long passes – a pass that travels at least 32 metres – this season, while he had a respectable 42% accuracy considering how ambitious many of those passes are.
And he created 15 big chances in the Premier League last season from right-back.
Given Real fell short in retaining their La Liga and Champions League titles, could Alexander-Arnold creativity be what they need?
Image source, OptaFast forward 15 years to July 2024 and the arrival of Kylian Mbappe commanded the same kind of numbers as predecessor Cristiano Ronaldo.
The delivery was a much more polished affair, while the France World Cup winner also shared his stage with the Champions League trophy, which the club had won for a record-extending 15th time in May that year.
It was expected that the former Paris St-Germain forward would help to extend the club's dominance - at home and abroad - but things did not quite work out that way.
Real Madrid would go on to relinquish their La Liga title to rivals Barcelona, while Arsenal knocked Mbappe et al out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesTalking about changing shirt numbers.
It's been confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear the No 12 shirt at Real Madrid.
Along with the new number, his name on the back of his shirt has also changed and will now read 'Trent' rather than 'Alexander-Arnold'.
The England right-back had worn the No 66 shirt at Liverpool, but La Liga rules do not allow him to keep that number at his new club.
Rules in Spain state that first-team players must wear a shirt number between one and 25, with the goalkeepers limited to numbers 1, 13 or 25. Only youth players are allowed to wear numbers higher than 25.
The No 12 shirt at Bernabeu was worn by Marcelo during the left-back trophy-laden 16 years at the club while Eduardo Camavinga wore the number before switching to No 6 last season.
The former Liverpool player has also changed his Instagram handle to remove '66' from it, with the new username being just '@trent'.
Security guards struggled to keep a lid on Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation to supporters in July 2009 as emotions reached fever pitch inside the Santiago Bernabeu.
An incredible 80,000 supporters packed into Real Madrid's stadium, with a handful even trying to rush the stage.
It was a chaotic start to what would prove to be a match made in heaven.
NB: You read it right, Ronaldo started his time at Real Madrid as 'CR9', not the CR7 we all associate with him today. When the former Manchester United winger arrived at the Bernabeu, legendary forward Raul had the number 7 shirt...
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Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesWell, just about everything he could.
In 2019, he won his first major trophy with Liverpool - the Champions League. Beating Spurs 2-0, Alexander-Arnold played the full 90 minutes in the final. He also played a pretty major role in the semi-finals against Barcelona with that corner taken quickly.
The following season, Alexander-Arnold claimed his first Premier League title as well as the Uefa Supercup and Club World Cup.
He has also won the FA Cup once in 2022, and the League Cup twice (2022 and 2024).
He added his final Liverpool trophy to the collection with the Premier League title this year.
Image source, Getty ImagesReal Madrid have just posted this picture of Trent Alexander-Arnold on their social media profiles, confirming a successful medical examination with the club.
It's two thumbs up from the England full-back as we inch closer to his presentation.
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Image source, Getty ImagesThe missing piece of the jigsaw.
Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal missed the majority of the 2024-25 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Since joining in 2013, Carvajal has established himself as a Real legend, but he is getting no younger.
The 33-year-old has won six Champions League titles, scoring in the 2024 final win over Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid have been forced to play Federico Valverde, who is a midfielder, at right-back to cover for Carvajal, with departing winger Lucas Vazquez also filling in there.
A long-term successor is needed for Carvajal and Real believe 26-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold could be that answer.
