Real Madrid’s blockbuster signing Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a challenging debut as the Spanish giants battled to a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in Florida.
The former Liverpool right-back, who joined Madrid for 10 million euros (approximately 8.5 million pounds) to secure an early contract release, faced intense scrutiny after a lackluster 64-minute performance.
The match saw Real Madrid take the lead through Gonzalo Garcia’s first-half strike, only for Ruben Neves to level the score from a penalty. Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty miss denied Madrid a late victory.
Alexander-Arnold, deployed at right-back, struggled to make an impact, drawing criticism from Spanish media for his defensive lapses and limited attacking contribution.
Spanish outlet Sport rated him a 5/10, stating, “Xabi Alonso positioned him inside with the ball, but he never looked comfortable or created any advantage. Physically far from his best, it was a disappointing debut for the Englishman.”
Football Espana echoed this, noting, “He was not at his best defensively and struggled to make an impact in attack before being substituted.” Goal added, “Some of his passing was loose, and he was badly exposed defensively.”
However, Defensa Central, a Real Madrid-focused site, offered a more optimistic view, giving him a 5/10 but highlighting his potential, saying, “It was a discreet debut, but the profile of the footballer Madrid have signed shines through.”
Post-match, Alexander-Arnold remained upbeat, addressing the media about his move. “It’s a proud moment for me, something most players dream of,” he said. “The heat was challenging, very different from England. It’s my first time switching clubs, and it’s a big change, but I’m loving every minute. I know in my heart I made the right decision.”
Manager Xabi Alonso, in a press conference shared on X, defended his new signing, stating, “Trent’s quality is undeniable. He’s adjusting to a new league and climate. We have full confidence in him.”
Despite the rocky start, Alexander-Arnold’s pedigree as a Champions League winner and Premier League star suggests he’ll aim to silence doubters as Madrid push forward in the tournament.
