Following Real Madrid’s unexpected decision on Monday, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold might rethink his potential move to the club next summer.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the Liverpool right-back was asked to choose between winning the Champions League, the World Cup, or the Ballon d’Or. Surprisingly, the 25-year-old opted for the individual accolade, a choice that Jamie Carragher found “strange.”
Real Madrid’s stance on the Ballon d’Or could influence Alexander-Arnold’s goals. During the Sky Sports coverage of the Arsenal vs. Liverpool match, Carragher remarked, “My first thought was that you won’t win the Ballon d’Or as a right-back for Liverpool,” and noted that such awards typically go to players from Real Madrid or Barcelona.
While Liverpool is reportedly looking for a potential replacement for Alexander-Arnold, his loyalty to the club has been acknowledged. Liverpool fans are likely hoping he remains, especially after Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday. Following a significant loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, Real initially planned to attend to support Vini Jr. but pulled out when it became clear he wouldn’t win.
According to Marca, a Spanish outlet supportive of Real Madrid, the club was outraged and now deems the Ballon d’Or “irrelevant,” representing the strongest objection the club has ever made against the awards. This isn’t the first time Real Madrid has protested; Cristiano Ronaldo boycotted the ceremony in 2018 after losing.
Given Real Madrid’s backlash against the award, Alexander-Arnold may realize that a move to the club next summer could hinder his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
