Trent Alexander-Arnold will have to give up his beloved No.66 shirt if he makes a move to Real Madrid, due to La Liga’s regulations that restrict players from donning anything above No.25.
This rule, which also prevents clubs from retiring shirt numbers in tribute to club legends like Lionel Messi at Barcelona or Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, is in place because No.25 is the maximum squad size that can be registered.
The only exception to this rule is for youth players who aren’t required to register in the same way. For instance, Raul Asencio has been allowed to sport the No.35 shirt during this season for Real.
Since his academy days at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has been associated with the No. 66, although he has worn No.2, No.7, No.8 and No.10 for England.
However, none of these numbers are currently available at Real Madrid, with the only vacant shirt numbers being No.12, No.24 and No.25 – though there could be some reshuffling within Carlo Ancelotti’s squad this summer.
Three Real players, including No/10 Luka Modric, No.17 Lucas Vazquez and No.18 Jesus Vallejo, are set to see their contracts expire this season, potentially freeing up three more numbers.
When David Beckham made his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, he had to abandon his iconic No.7 shirt and instead took up the No.23 shirt at the Bernabeu – a number also famously worn by Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls.
(Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
Alexander-Arnold, whose contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of this season, has yet to publicly announce his decision. However, rumors suggest that he has already agreed to a five-year deal worth approximately $16 million per year.
This high salary is possible because Real Madrid would not have to pay a transfer fee for the England star.
The 26 year old is currently on the mend from an injury he picked up during the recent Champions League round of 16 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, where the match was decided by penalties.
It remains uncertain when he will be declared fit to return, but many fans have expressed their anger over his anticipated departure.
