Trent Alexander-Arnold has played down the magnitude of friend, and now team-mate, Jude Bellingham‘s role in his mega move to Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold, who was snapped up by Los Blancos for £10million from Liverpool, was finally presented as a Galactico on Thursday, following months of uncertainty regarding his future.
The full-back is known for having an extremely tight bond with Bellingham, with the dynamic duo becoming inseparable while on international duty with England.
Many have referred to the midfielder as ‘Agent Jude’ as it became clear Alexander-Arnold was set for the Spanish capital, but the former Liverpool vice-captain has swatted away the notion that Bellingham played a big part in the transfer.
‘We spoke, it wasn’t exactly what people think it was,’ Alexander-Arnold claimed. ‘We spoke a lot about Liverpool and Madrid, they’re the conversations you have as players and friends, you want to know what it’s like.
‘At the national team, he was the only player who knew what it was like to be at Real Madrid so a lot were asking questions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (right) has revealed the extent of Jude Bellingham’s (left) role in him to move to Real Madrid from Liverpool, shortly being unveiled as a Los Blancos player
Alexander-Arnold was presented as a Madrid player for the very first time on Thursday
The full-back is known to have a bromance with Bellingham because of international duty
‘A lot of people think he played a big part in me coming here but it was a big opportunity for me and it felt like the right time.’
Alexander-Arnold will be playing under new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who adorned the red shirt of Liverpool, just like the defender, back when he was in the academy.
And ‘Trent’, who has decided to plaster his first name on the back of his shirt instead of his last, spoke fondly of the man who he deems a hero of his childhood.
‘I told him he was a big idol of mine growing up so to be able to work with him is a dream come true for me,’ Alexander-Arnold continued.
‘Someone who impacted my game a lot growing up, seeing him pass a ball influenced me to go and train harder at that and have a great hunger to be able to do that and set standards.
‘Of course, we haven’t formally met, but I’m sure over the next few days and weeks we’ll be able to speak properly, what he expects from me.
‘It might take some time but he has shown how amazing he is as a manager and a player. His knowledge is there in abundance and I’ll be a sponge around him trying to learn.’
Alexander-Arnold is embarking on a six-year deal with Los Blancos after being pried away from Liverpool a month early in order to play at the Club World Cup, which begins on Sunday.
Xabi Alonso (left) was Alexander-Arnold’s ‘idol’ growing up and will now be his manager
The Spaniard replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid manager at the back end of last month
The star revealed the would be leaving Liverpool following their Premier League title triumph
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.
When asked about his decision to leave his local area and begin a new venture in the Spanish capital, Alexander-Arnold – who has remained fairly tight-lipped the last 12 months – described how hard it was to leave the Reds.
‘It was never a question of where – it was a question of whether to go,’ he continued. ‘But I’ve probably known for a long time that if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would only be to go to Real Madrid. That would be the only club for me.
‘It wasn’t an easy decision because I’d been there so long but eventually you have to make a decision and in my mind, I’ve made the right one.
‘I loved every single minute of it and achieved everything I wanted to. I’ll forever be in debt to the club.
‘But I thought it was the right moment, been there 20 years, achieving everything I wanted to, being the age I am, I feel I’m mature and experienced to be successful somewhere else.
‘We had an amazing conversation in the last couple of days with the owners, thanking me in the service I gave to the club, wishing me good luck, and saying I’d always be welcome back. Sent off in the perfect way.’
