Liverpool supporters have been left dumbfounded after Trent Alexander-Arnold addressed family, friends, and the media in fluent Spanish during his unveiling as a Real Madrid player.
Alexander-Arnold, who was snapped up by Los Blancos for £10million, was finally presented as a Galactico on Thursday afternoon, following a 20-year stay at his boyhood Reds.
The 26-year-old was invited by President Florentino Perez to speak for the first time as a Madrid player, with his model girlfriend Estelle Behnke and family watching in the crowd.
Given he has spent his whole career on Merseyside, many would have expected Alexander-Arnold to start his speech in English, before attempting some broken Spanish toward the end.
However, many have been left stunned as the former Liverpool vice-captain gave his entire address in Spanish, revealing that it is ‘a dream come true’ to join the 15-time European champions.
Parts of the Liverpool faithful, and many a football fan in general, have been left questioning how Alexander-Arnold is so well-versed in speaking the language, given he only decided to leave Anfield back in March.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been unveiled as a Real Madrid player following his move from Liverpool
The full-back shocked fans by addressing family and the world media in fluent Spanish
Liverpool fan media outlet, Redmen TV, wrote: ‘Impressive for a lad who only decided in March really.’
Meanwhile, another insinuated that Alexander-Arnold has clearly been plotting to leave the Reds for longer than it seemed.
They wrote: ‘This guy has been planning this move for a WHILE!!’ Another red was inclined to agree: ‘Of course Trent should, when you’re planning this move for almost 2 years.’
As Alexander-Arnold took to the stage to address the crowd, he was beaming before shaking hands with club president Perez. Then came the moment that shocked the footballing world.
‘Thank you Florentino Perez and the club for this opportunity,’ the full-back uttered in fluent Spanish. ‘This doesn’t happen every day,’ he said.
‘It’s a dream come true. I’m very happy and proud to be here. I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. I do realise I’m signing for Real Madrid and the demands are high but I am going to give my all for the team and Real Madrid fans.
‘I want to show those fans how I play. I want to win many titles. I want to be a winner here and enjoy playing alongside the best players in the world at Madrid.’
While Liverpool fans are evidently upset by Alexander-Arnold’s deep knowledge of the Spanish language, rival supporters are revelling at the revelation.
Many Liverpool fans have hinted that Alexander-Arnold decided long ago to leave Liverpool, based on his Spanish-speaking ability
‘He clearly knew a long time ago then,’ wrote one X user, followed by four laughing emojis.
Another also joked about the length of time Alexander-Arnold knew that he would be leaving Liverpool for the Spanish capital.
‘Bro must of been planning to go to Real Madrid for longer than we thought lol,’ they wrote.
Not all social media users joked about it, though. Heaps of football fans with no affiliation to either club seemed impressed with Alexander-Arnold’s dedication to learning Spanish.
One wrote: ‘Good on him for actually learning the language.’
‘Trent dropping near-perfect Spanish on Day 1 is elite tryhard behavior and I respect that,’ said another.
Alexander-Arnold is embarking on a six-year deal with Real Madrid after being pried away from Liverpool a month early in order to play at the Club World Cup, which begins on Sunday.
His decision to leave Merseyside after two decades was announced at the beginning of May, a week after Arne Slot’s side secured their 20th League title against Tottenham Hotspur.
The right-back has taken the squad number 12 and will be known simply as ‘Trent’
Many rivals fans stated that they were ‘impressed’ by ‘Trent’s’ committment to learn a new language so well
His mother, father, and two brothers were in the audience with girlfriend Estelle Behnke (right) as he spoke
In a statement on social media, Alexander-Arnold wrote: ‘After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
‘I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
‘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.
‘But, 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.
‘I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
‘I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die’.
It brought to an end the long-running saga that dominated debates this season with the 26-year-old not discussing his future out of respect to Liverpool as he did not want it to be played out in public.
Alexander-Arnold featured for Liverpool on over 350 occasions in his nine years with the senior side, scoring 27 goals in all competitions and providing a mammoth 96 assists for the club.
Alexander-Arnold revealed that he would be leaving Liverpool following their Premier League triumph last month
The full-back was clearly emotional as he bid farewell to the club he spent 20 years at
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold way back in December – and now he has held up the famous white shirt for the very first time.
Standing in front of some of the club’s recent Champions League trophies – including from 2022, when Los Blancos beat Liverpool 1-0 – he held up his new colours proudly.
The right-back has taken the squad number 12 – a number often reserved for back-up goalkeepers, though not in Spain – and will be known simply as ‘Trent’.
Madrid began their presentation, which was lower key than usual, with a montage celebrating the star’s journey through the youth levels to some of his iconic moments with Liverpool – including the triumphant 2019 Champions League final and stunning goals for club and country.
Girlfriend Behnke was sat by his side as Alexander-Arnold kitted out in a black suit, watched on impassively. His mother shed a tear and his brothers were also in attendance.
Perez hailed the full-back as a legend in his opening address, saying: ’26 years old, a legend in the game, and now he is joining our family.
‘A player who has won everything. One of the best defenders and full-backs in world football who played for one of the most important clubs in the world, Liverpool.
‘Dear Trent, welcome to Real Madrid, I would like to thank you for joining our club. We know it means a lot. You could have signed for any club worldwide but you wanted to commit your future to Real Madrid. Our fans will never forget your gesture.’
