Spanish media make feelings clear as Trent Alexander-Arnold registers first assist for Real Madrid

The Spanish media have had their say after Trent Alexander-Arnold registered his first assist for Real Madrid in the side’s 1-0 win against Juventus on Tuesday.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, provided the assist for Gonzalo Garcia’s second-half header, which handed Real Madrid a 1-0 victory and allowed them to progress to the last eight of the Club World Cup. Los Blancos will face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

The clash against Juve marked Trent's fourth appearance for his new club and so far he has yet to taste defeat.

Xabi Alonso gave his thoughts on Trent’s performance in his post-match press conference.

He said: “We were caught out by [Kenan] Yildiz's position in the middle. Everything takes time, but I have faith in him. He's a reliable full-back and so is [Dani] Carvajal. We will improve from the collective side to the individual and not the other way around.”

Carvajal, 33, has not played since he sustained a serious anterior cruciate ligament tear during a La Liga fixture against Villarreal back in October 2024 but will soon return to full fitness.

Several Spanish media outlets also gave their takes on the England international’s performance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Mundo Deportivo wrote: “His assist in the 1-0 lead improved the poor start to the match, with errors unbecoming of his level.”

Football Espana gave the right-back an 8/10 rating and said: “He continues to improve in a Real Madrid jersey, and he got his first assist for the club for the only goal of the game.”

MARCA added: “Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't have a good game, and in his first matches with Real Madrid, he's raising doubts. He was weak in defence, inaccurate in attack, and almost always poorly positioned... If Carvajal returns to his best form, the Englishman will struggle to stay in the starting eleven.

“What can't be denied about Trent is that he has a glove on his foot. Gonzalo's goal came from his boots, with a perfect cross to the striker. The Premier League's top assist provider for the last five seasons, he sets them up like no one else."

Meanwhile, Defensa Central explained: "Trent Alexander-Arnold must know he'll face some pretty tough competition, although it's true he could play alongside Carvajal. Regardless, it's worth noting that the return of the number two could be closer than ever.

"The positive thing, and this is what Real Madrid fans should take away, is that Xabi Alonso will have the two best full-backs in the world at his disposal. This, obviously, is a blessed problem."