Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has officially joined Real Madrid and signed a contract today, in a high-profile transfer that cost the Spanish side Ksh1.5 billion to secure the Englishman’s services.
Trent will, however, not be able to wear his iconic jersey number. 66 that he has worn in his entire Liverpool career, 354 games in total.
According to La Liga rules, first-team players must select a jersey number between 1 and 25, corresponding to the maximum squad size allowed for the season.
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La Liga Rules
This regulation, designed to maintain uniformity and prevent clubs from retiring numbers for club legends like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, renders Alexander-Arnold’s beloved No. 66 unavailable.
Only youth or reserve players, such as Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio, who wears No. 35, are exempt and can wear numbers between 26 and 50.
As a result, Alexander-Arnold has been assigned the No. 12 jersey for his debut with Real Madrid, a number previously worn by club legend Marcelo and symbolically linked to the fans as the “12th man.”
Additionally, his jersey will read “Trent” rather than “Alexander-Arnold,” marking another departure from his Liverpool identity.
The decision to assign Alexander-Arnold the No. 12 jersey has sparked discussion among fans, as it subtly nods to his Liverpool No. 66, since six plus six equals twelve.
Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid follows a 20-year tenure at Liverpool, where he won nine trophies, including two Premier League titles, a Champions League, and an FA Cup.
The right-back’s contract with Real Madrid runs until 2031 and includes a Ksh148 billion release clause, clearly reflecting his value to the Spanish giants.
While Alexander-Arnold’s No. 66 became a symbol of his rise from Liverpool’s academy to a world-class talent, La Liga’s regulations have forced a fresh start.
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Real Madrid Trust Trent
Real Madrid fans are eager to see how he adapts to his new number and surroundings, with his debut potentially coming against Al-Hilal on June 18, 2025, in the Club World Cup.
Despite the jersey change, Alexander-Arnold’s vision, passing, and set-piece prowess are expected to make him a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s ambitions in the coming years.
“We’ve signed a legend, one of the best in the world. Trent’s dream has come true. You have chosen to play for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world”. “We have a great relationship with Liverpool, they are our dear friends,” Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez said at the player’s unveiling.
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