Trent Alexander-Arnold has been warmly welcomed as Real Madrid’s latest signing – and the right-back, in his first appearance as a Los Blancos player, spoke totally in Spanish as he thanked the club for the warm welcome.
After months of speculation, the Englishman, widely considered as one of the best defenders in the world, has finally addressed to the media as he prepares to spend many, many years collecting championships with his La Liga club.
The 15-time Champions League winners, who signed the 26-year-old for free this summer, had to spend €10 million to sign him before his Anfield contract expired so that he could compete in the next FIFA Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold’s First Real Madrid Speech Was fluent in Spanish’. I want to show the Real Madrid fans how I play.
And, prior of the start of the US-based competition, Alexander-Arnold was introduced to Real Madrid supporters at an institutional event hosted at Valdebebas – and to the amazement of many in attendance, the Liverpool academy graduate spoke fluent Spanish.
Good afternoon. “Thank you, President Florentino Perez and the club, for this opportunity,” he added, before adding, “This does not happen every day.” It’s a dream come true, and I’m extremely glad and delighted to be here. I want to show the Real Madrid fans how I perform.”
“I understand that I am signing for Real Madrid, and the demands are great, but I am going to give my all for the squad and the Real Madrid fans. I want to show those followers how I play, win many titles, be a winner here, and enjoy competing with the best. “Hala Madrid!”
Despite not standing, the defender received a warm ovation from those in attendance, with many of them smiling wryly at Alexander-Arnold’s commitment to learning fluent Spanish. His countrymen Jude Bellingham has also done an excellent job of embracing the culture, whereas Gareth Bale notoriously did not.
Before the talented Liverpudlian, 26, took the floor, President Perez said a few words to welcome him to one of the world’s biggest clubs. “Dear Trent Alexander-Arnold, welcome to Real Madrid,” he told me.
“We are once again living a historic day, as a player who has won everything and defined an era at one of the world’s most prominent teams, Liverpool, is joining Real Madrid. He now hopes to continue crafting his love story with football at Real Madrid. You might have joined any club in the world, but you chose us, and no one will forget it.”
Earlier today, it was revealed that Alexander-Arnold, who has worn No.66 for the duration of his career, would wear No.12 at the Santiago Bernabeu, which was made famous by fellow full-back Marcelo during his illustrious tenure at the Spanish club.
That’s because, in Spain, there is a rule specified in Article 239 of the Spanish Football Federation’s code regarding “Player Uniforms” that only allows first-team players to wear squad numbers 1-25.
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