Trent Alexander-Arnold’s highly anticipated debut for Real Madrid didn’t go as planned, at least according to the Spanish media. The former Liverpool star featured in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, and his performance was met with mixed to negative reviews across Spain’s top football outlets.
Following the match, Alexander-Arnold spoke optimistically to DAZN
“An amazing day to make my debut for Real Madrid, almost what every player dreams of. I felt the support from the moment I signed. Sensational. The fanbase is truly global all over the world—you feel it every single day.”
Despite his enthusiasm, the reaction from the Spanish press painted a much less rosy picture.
Sport: "Never Looked Comfortable"
Sergi Capdevila of Sport rated Alexander-Arnold a 5/10, commenting:
“Xabi Alonso positioned him inside with the ball, but he never looked comfortable or created any advantage. Physically far from his best, it wasn’t the debut he would’ve hoped for.”
Marca: “Lacklustre and Off the Pace”
Marca described his debut as “lacklustre,” with JL Calderon emphasizing his lack of influence on both ends of the pitch:
“Very lacklustre. He contributed little offensively. At one point, during an Al-Hilal counterattack, it looked like Trent got out of the way—it left me speechless.”
Alexander-Arnold again received a 5/10 rating.
Football España: “Struggled to Make an Impact”
Echoing similar sentiments, Football España also handed him a 5/10, noting:
“There was much anticipation ahead of his debut, but he was not at his best defensively and struggled to make an impact in attack before being subbed off.”
GOAL: “Badly Exposed”
GOAL also joined the chorus of criticism, highlighting some key concerns:
“Not the best debut. Some of his passing was loose, and he was badly exposed defensively.”
Score: 5/10.
Defensa Central: “A Modest Debut”
Madrid-based fan site Defensa Central offered a slightly more balanced take. While acknowledging a difficult first half, writer Lucas Cardenas wrote:
“A modest debut. He struggled at first but showed glimpses of his trademark passing ability. There’s room for improvement, but the profile is promising.”
Score: 5/10.
Managing Madrid: “Underwhelming but Involved in Goal”
Kiyan Sobhani of Managing Madrid provided a more tactical breakdown, noting Alexander-Arnold’s inverted full-back role:
“He was mostly underwhelming in his first game. His touches and passing looked off. Defensively, he was out of position, which isn’t surprising given his new role.”
Despite this, they were slightly more generous, awarding him a 6/10 for his involvement in the buildup to Madrid’s goal.
AS: “Very Little Presence”
Fernando S. Tavero from AS didn’t hold back:
“Very little presence. He’s assumed to have limited talent in defence and was transparent in attack. Madrid didn’t sign him to be a defensive wall, but he had no decisive impact in build-up play either.”
Mando Deportivo: “Improved Over Time”
Not every outlet was critical. Mundo Deportivo noted signs of improvement throughout the match:
“The Englishman made his debut as a starter and went from strength to strength until his physical condition waned.”
Finally Verdict: A Learning Curve Ahead
Across the board, Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid debut received largely underwhelming reviews, with most outlets scoring him 5/10. While flashes of his quality were present, Spanish media emphasized his defensive shortcomings and lack of offensive impact. However, it's only his first appearance, and both fans and critics will be watching closely to see how he adapts to life at the Bernabéu.