Trent Alexander-Arnold Provides First Real Madrid Assist Before Injury

Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered what could be his breakthrough moment at Real Madrid before injury struck again during Wednesday’s 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao. The former Liverpool defender provided assists for both Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga within the opening minutes, showcasing the attacking prowess that justified his summer move to Spain. However, his promising performance was cut short when an ankle injury in the 55th minute forced his premature exit.

Tough Scrutiny from Spanish Press

Despite his impressive display in open play, Spanish media showed little mercy to the England international. Sport headlined its report “Trent, a Real Madrid signing who continues to disappoint,” claiming he had accumulated “392 minutes of complete insignificance” across 11 matches. The outlet suggested Real Madrid were “already doubting” whether the signing was “the right move,” citing his adaptation difficulties combined with persistent injury problems.

Mounting Frustration for Real Madrid

While AS recognized his best performance to date, they described the injury as “especially painful” given the timing of his breakthrough display. The severity of Alexander-Arnold’s latest strain remains unclear, but it compounds an already troublesome season. His previous hamstring injury sidelined him for six weeks, and these recurring setbacks continue hampering his integration into Carlo Ancelotti’s setup.

With captain Dani Carvajal also injured, Real Madrid faces potential right-back complications if Alexander-Arnold requires extended recovery time. The £10 million summer signing from Liverpool must overcome both physical and tactical challenges to justify the club’s investment and silence mounting criticism from Spanish media.