Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender makes a case for regular game-time with stellar display vs Malaga
It is no secret that this will be a defining season for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Currently in his second year at Real Madrid, the defender is coming on the back of a torrid debut campaign.
He will be looking to right the wrongs under Jose Mourinho, as he looks to become a key component in Real Madrid’s new setup.
The former Liverpool star already had a promising look-in against Malaga, where he was handed his first start of the league season after Denzel Dumfries had been preferred in the opening two matches.
Trent delivers against Malaga
As reported by AS, Trent produced an encouraging display that hinted at the kind of player Real Madrid thought they were getting when they signed him from Liverpool.
Within seconds of kick-off, the Englishman was involved, firing a shot narrowly over the Malaga goal from the right side of the attack.
It set the tone for a performance in which he looked noticeably more attack-minded and liberated in his decision-making compared to anything seen last season.
Trent’s performance was backed up by numbers as he was involved in 117 actions, the most of any Real Madrid player on the pitch, and completed 87 of his 96 passes, including 16 of 21 in the final third.
He also registered two shots and six recoveries, the third highest in the team, including one on the left wing that drew applause from Bellingham.
With Marc Cucurella providing defensive solidity on the opposite flank and the high line of Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger offering cover, Trent was freed from the defensive burden that weighed him down last term.
A fresh start under Mourinho
Last season was a nightmare for the Englishman, disrupted by injuries and a chaotic environment that saw managerial changes on the bench.
He managed just 30 appearances out of a possible 56, missed England’s World Cup squad and saw Dumfries arrive as direct competition.
But Mourinho’s trust, after having Trent at his disposal from the beginning of pre-season, appears to have given him a sense of calm and belonging.
Against Malaga, there was more aggression, more attitude and more of the forward-thinking play that made him one of the finest full-backs in the world at Anfield.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid relationship with Ballon d’Or organisers improving after major fallout – report
Real Madrid’s relationship with the Ballon d’Or suffered a spectacular fallout a couple of seasons ago during the saga involving Vinicius Junior.
However, according to MARCA (h/t Madrid Zone), relations between Madrid and the Ballon d’Or organisers are slowly improving and veering towards normality again.
Madrid and Ballon d’Or rebuilding relationship
The dispute erupted around the 2024 ceremony after Madrid learned that Vinicius Junior would not win the Ballon d’Or, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri ultimately receiving the award.
Madrid reacted strongly, deciding not to send their delegation to the ceremony in Paris despite several representatives being expected to attend.
The decision turned what should have been a celebration of Madrid’s successful season into a major controversy.
The club’s absence also made clear that the disagreement extended beyond disappointment over one individual award.
Relations subsequently became extremely strained. Now, however, the situation appears to be changing.
A significant change after 2024
For Madrid, rebuilding the relationship does not mean forgetting what happened.
The club felt strongly about the treatment surrounding the 2024 ceremony, particularly after Vinicius had been widely viewed inside Madrid as deserving of the prize.
However, remaining in a permanent dispute with one of football’s most prestigious institutions offers limited benefit.
Madrid routinely have players competing for the biggest individual honours in the sport.
Maintaining a functional relationship with the Ballon d’Or organisers is therefore the more practical position.
It is a work in progress to return the relationship to where it was before the 2024 controversy, but a first step is always good news.
A player like Kylian Mbappe is in the running to win the Ballon d’Or this year, and it would be important to mend fences ahead of a potential accolade.
Tensions beginning to ease
The important development is simply that the relationship is moving in a more positive direction.
It is significant considering how publicly and dramatically Madrid distanced themselves from the ceremony two years ago.
Ultimately, the understanding that the Ballon d’Or is an award decided by voting would help resolve a lot of this controversy.
There is absolutely no doubt that Vinicius Junior deserved to win the award in 2024 for the season he had, but that is in the past.
Madrid do not need to forget, but it is important that they mend fences with the organisers ahead of potential accolades for their superstars in the coming years.
