Alexander-Arnold World – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad has been framed in Spain as a sign of a Real Madrid weakness at right back. The 27-year-old, who joined Real Madrid on a six-year deal at the end of May last year and has struggled
Trent Alexander-Arnold was promised time. a new environment and a starring role at Real Madrid after his move from Liverpool last summer. Instead. the most visible moment of his first season in white has come not from trophies or headline performances. but from what didn’t happen: he wasn’t selected for England’s World Cup squad.
For Real Madrid, the timing has landed like a warning. Alexander-Arnold’s absence is being treated in Spanish coverage as a sign of a “major problem” at full back, with attention narrowing sharply on the right-hand side as the club prepares for changes after a second season without silverware.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid on a six-year deal at the end of May last year. with his Liverpool contract expiring that summer. Real Madrid then agreed to pay Liverpool £10m to ensure he could feature at the FIFA Club World Cup. His season at the Bernabéu has been affected by injuries. and it’s reflected in the output: the 27-year-old has made 30 appearances in all competitions and provided five assists.
On the field, Real Madrid’s first spell didn’t end with silverware either. They endured a second season without trophies, a campaign that also carried the shock of Xabi Alonso being sacked in January, and recent weeks have brought dressing room unrest.
Now comes the international cut. Alexander-Arnold will have an extended summer after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup. Tuchel had already warned last year that Alexander-Arnold needed to take the defensive part of his game “very seriously. ” with the England manager preferring other right backs in his recent squads.
Spanish newspaper Marca seized on the snub as evidence of Real Madrid’s weakness at full back. adding that none of the club’s full backs had been called up to their national teams for the World Cup. Marca pointed to Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras both missing out on Spain’s squad. which does not feature any Real Madrid players. Ferland Mendy also failed to make France’s squad after another injury-hit campaign. Departing Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was also left out of Spain’s squad.
Within that frame. Alexander-Arnold’s situation has been described as the “most striking.” Marca wrote that he arrived as a “strategic signing with star status. ” but even that has not guaranteed him a place with his national team. The paper said his attacking talent “remains undeniable,” while defensive doubts continue to “plague him” in England. For Real Madrid, the report gives a harsher reading: the signing “hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.”.
All of it sets up a tough question at Real Madrid—what happens when a player is judged not just by what he can do going forward, but by whether he can be trusted across the full match.
That question is now being matched with a club-level answer. Alexander-Arnold is expected to face renewed competition at right back. with Real Madrid prepared to enter the transfer market this summer to provide it following Carvajal’s exit. After Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Athletic Club on the final day of the La Liga season. Alexander-Arnold publicly thanked fans for their support and pledged to return ready for the next push.
“Madridistas, you have welcomed me with open arms. From the first day I arrived you have had my back,” he wrote on social media.
“It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment but I feel completely at home now.
“I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season.”
Looking ahead, there’s another layer to the reshuffle. Alexander-Arnold is likely to be coached by Jose Mourinho next season, with his return to Real Madrid as manager expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
For Real Madrid, the World Cup snub may be a personal setback for Alexander-Arnold. But for the club, it is also being treated as a signal—one that points directly at what they need most: stability, trust and answers at right back before the next season begins.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Real Madrid England World Cup squad Thomas Tuchel Dani Carvajal Marca FIFA Club World Cup La Liga Xabi Alonso sacked Jose Mourinho
So he gets left off the World Cup team and now Spain is saying Real’s right back is broken… ok
I don’t even watch England like that but if he’s struggling defensively then yeah that tracks. Real Madrid paid like 10m pounds and then he’s injured and doesn’t even make the squad? That seems like a bad look.
Wait Trent got left out cuz Tuchel didn’t like him? or is it cuz Real is falling apart? The article says injuries and also like “dressing room unrest” which is vague. Also England squad stuff always feels political lol.
Spanish coverage acting like one omission means “major problem” at full back is kinda dramatic. He’s literally had 30 appearances or whatever, so it’s not like he’s invisible. But then it says he promised time and starring role and… he still doesn’t get picked for World Cup, so maybe he really can’t defend? Idk I’m confused, and all I know is Real needs trophies.