When Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win against Valencia last weekend, there was much anticipation around the former Liverpool right-back’s return.
After another two months on the sideline, Real supporters had seen very little of the England defender this season.
Since joining the Spanish side in June 2025, he has been limited to just 17 appearances in all competitions.
Two separate injuries have disrupted his rhythm and denied him the sustained run of games needed to build momentum and a connection with supporters.
The relationship he built with Xabi Alonso became redundant when the manager was sacked after less than eight months in charge.
Now though, he is fit again and the timing feels significant. The season is entering its decisive stretch and Alexander-Arnold has the opportunity to reassert himself.
How did this season begin?
After a strong Club World Cup, where he started five of Madrid’s six matches, Alexander-Arnold began the 2025–26 season sharing right-back duties with Dani Carvajal.
Spanish media praised his early performances, noting he “showcased his trademark ability to drift inside from full-back”.
But his campaign was soon disrupted. A hamstring injury in Madrid’s opening Champions League game in September put him out for seven weeks and was described by local media as “a blow to Trent’s new chapter”.
His comeback in November felt particularly poignant as he faced his former club Liverpool at Anfield.
He subsequently made five more appearances, with Spanish newspaper AS suggesting that “the initial criticism [of Alexander-Arnold] revealed a lack of understanding of the footballing ability the England international has always possessed”.
Momentum was building and fans were beginning to see the benefits of their star signing, but a thigh injury against Athletic Club in December left him injured and recovering for another two months.
The 27-year-old admitted he was “absolutely gutted”.
That setback kept him out for 14 matches, until his long-awaited return last weekend.
Reaction to his return
Despite only playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, Alexander-Arnold’s return was met with largely positive reaction from supporters.
On social media, the Madridistas didn’t hold back:
“Trent Alexander-Arnold’s minutes against Valencia felt like a prime performance. Our style of play even changed!”
“Trent Alexander-Arnold completely changed the game when he came on. Does he deserve to start every match?”
“His passes are so satisfying. Football has missed him.”
The brief but impressive appearance has raised expectations, especially with the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout tie against Benfica looming next week.
Yet head coach Alvaro Arbeloa was quick to manage the excitement, emphasising that full recovery remains the priority.
“After being out for a long time, we are taking the same approach with him as with others returning from injury,” said Arbeloa.
“We are proceeding cautiously and calmly because what we want is for him to find his rhythm, his best playing form. That’s how it will be with Trent.”
It was the first time Arbeloa had publicly addressed Alexander-Arnold, and the comments put to rest earlier rumours suggesting he might not feature in his long-term plans – speculation that Real Madrid had carefully shielded the England international from.
This was a clear signal that Alexander-Arnold remains central to the club’s long-term vision. And, as a former Liverpool and Real Madrid right-back himself, Arbeloa may be uniquely placed to help strengthen their relationship off the pitch.
Where will he fit in?
With Federico Valverde moving back into a central midfield role following Jude Bellingham’s recent injury, Real Madrid’s right-back picture has shifted, opening the door for Alexander-Arnold to feature more prominently in that position against Benfica and beyond.
Arbeloa now has all his options available on that flank: captain Dani Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold (who played ahead of Carvajal against Valencia), Valverde as an emergency option, and academy player David Jimenez, who started in Valencia.
Carvajal’s season has been equally frustrating, having battled a series of injuries as well as knee surgery.
Despite now being fit and available, he has barely played any minutes under Arbeloa. In fact, his last start was in September. It’s a complex situation given his contract expires in the summer and there appears to have been little progress in renewing it.
That context places Alexander-Arnold in a strong position to become Madrid’s leading option at right-back once fully fit, with Valverde still available as an emergency alternative and Jimenez also impressing when called upon.
Whether Alexander-Arnold will be eased back into the starting XI as he builds fitness, or whether he will leap straight into a key role, given the significance of upcoming fixtures, remains to be seen as Arbeloa manages the reintegration.
World Cup hopes alive?
It would be fair to say that, at this stage of the season, Alexander-Arnold’s chances of making England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup appear slim, with his limited minutes at club level the most obvious reason.
International selection is usually built on form and fitness, and the England coaching staff are likely to prioritise players who are consistently competing at the highest level.
He has not had the chance to demonstrate the consistency required to challenge for a place.
He was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup qualifying squad in August, with the England coach saying: “There’s no doubt I’m a big fan of Trent, for his talent and his personality. But for this call-up, I’ve gone with Reece James and Tino Livramento.
“I know he wanted to be here, which is very important. I just chose others due to competition.”
Even if Alexander‑Arnold delivers spectacular performances for Real Madrid over the coming weeks, the competition for the England right-back position remains strong.
With Tuchel preparing to finalise his squad for friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan on 27 and 31 March respectively, selections are likely to prioritise players who have been performing consistently week in, week out.
Still, as Tuchel himself emphasised: “He’s a great player who will always be in contention.”
