Alexander-Arnold opens up on mixed emotions after making Real Madrid debut
Trent Alexander-Arnold confessed making his Real Madrid debut is "something every player dreams of" but their failure to win in the Club World Cup meant there was "some disappointment".
The former Liverpool right-back has long been linked with Los Blancos and made the move recently with his contract at Anfield expiring. He's now rubbing shoulders with pal Jude Bellingham as well as Vinicius Jnr and the Arsenal-linked Rodrygo.
They ran out for their opening game in FIFA's Club World Cup but underwhelmed as they were held by Saudi outfit Al-Hilal. New manager Xabi Alonso is still getting to grips with his squad but Real were firm favourites to down the Middle Eastern side.
Gonzalo Garcia's opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Ruben Neves as Dean Huijsen, formerly of Bournemouth, was another ex-Premier League star to make his debut for the Spanish giants.
Alexander-Arnold admits that he must deal an expectation that tips Real to win "every game you play in" and that clearly soured his first outing as he thanked his new employers and his team-mates for their early show of support after he made the switch.
He said: "Incredible day to have made my debut for Real Madrid. It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me. There's some disappointment not to have won the game but it's the mentality you need to have as a Real player is to want and expect to win every game you've played in.
"I've felt the support from the moment I signed the club. Absolutely sensational. The fan base is truly global all around the world and you feel it every day.
"I've been learning Spanish a couple of months. I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible. It's important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture and adapt as best as possible. That was important for me to do so."
After a trophyless season last term Alonso, who replaced the iconic Carlo Ancelotti, maintains that the changes he's looking for won't happen overnight.
"I knew it would take time," he said. "There are things we have to change. We'll have to correct them, and we'll keep doing that. Everything takes time, we've had nine days, and some players have had just three training sessions. It's demanding, we're in a competition, but we want to learn, and what we want to do will take time."
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