Alexander-Arnold: “I want to be part of this club’s success”

Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City after being unveiled as a new Real Madrid player. The Englishman, who was accompanied by the director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, said: “It's very exciting for me, it's a day I've been waiting for for a long time. I'm very proud, it's a dream come true for me. There's a lot of work ahead and I'm eager to get started right away.”

“When I say I've been waiting a long time, I mean a couple of weeks, not years. I'm very excited to be here. Whether you support the club or not, you have to respect its history and its trophies. I've always admired the players and the club. I grew up watching this club win three Champions League titles in a row. I'm not surprised to see Real Madrid winning trophies. I wanted to be part of the club's success from now on. It's a team with a winning mentality and I can't wait to get started. We're heading straight to the United States for the Club World Cup and I'm eager to get started.”

Expectations under Xabi Alonso
“I grew up as a Liverpool fan, doing amazing things with the manager. We've spoken a bit, it's good to have that communication. I told him he was an idol of mine and now being with him is a dream come true. He's had a big impact on the way I play. He did impossible things and influenced me in terms of training and working hard. I have him to thank for my high standards. We haven't been formally introduced, but we'll be able to talk about what he expects from me in the next few days. I'm not the only newcomer; he is too. It might take a while, but he has already proven how good he is as a coach and as a player. I'm delighted and I'm going to soak up all the information he gives me.”

Opinion on Dani Carvajal
“He's a fantastic player, he's won many trophies and been part of very successful teams. He's achieved a lot at club and international level, and you don't get that without talent and hard work. I have a lot of respect for everything he's achieved.”

Chats with Bellingham
“We've spoken. We've spoken about Liverpool and Real Madrid. He's the kind of player you want to have as a friend. I want to know what he's like. I've seen him play for the national team and I also want to see him play for Real Madrid. They say he played an important role in bringing me here, but the club needs no introduction. It was a huge opportunity for me.”

Playing at the Santiago Bernabéu
“To be honest, it's not something you can even dream of. It's beyond reality for many players. There are only a select few English players who have represented this club. When I was younger, I didn't think I would get here. I was focused on learning and playing as well as I could. Today is a very special moment, a dream come true for me. I'm delighted.”

How much has winning the Ballon d'Or motivated you?
“I don't think it had any influence. Joining a club like this is enough. It's very exciting, I admire the players. I want to be part of the team and playing with them instead of against them will be good. Being at Liverpool for so long and everything we achieved there was amazing. Things come to an end, but it's been very emotional for me. I'm pleased with how I've performed and how the fans perceived it. Being able to speak with the players, the coach, and the owners has also been very helpful. Everyone has been very welcoming and grateful for everything I've done. They wished me well for the future and said I'm always welcome back at the club. It's incredible to hear those things. Now, being here with a new challenge is also very exciting. It's something that not many players get to experience. I'm very proud to be here.”

Position preference on the pitch
“I just want to play, it's the most important thing. Being a Real Madrid player is an achievement in itself. That's up to the coach, first I have to train well and show what I can do. I'm here, I'm enjoying myself, it's an unbelievable day for me, my family and my friends. The work starts tomorrow for me and I'm looking forward to it.”

Decision-making process
“It wasn’t a question of whether to go or not. I always knew that if I ever left Liverpool, it would be to join Real Madrid. There came a time when I had to decide whether to leave or stay, and it wasn't easy. I'd been there for so long that it wasn't easy. There comes a time when you have to make a decision, and for me, this was the right one.”

“I've been lucky to play for the biggest team in England and now I'm at the biggest in Spain. Both have won many trophies and dominated their leagues. It's an honour to represent both of them. At both clubs, you're expected to win and perform well; there are many similarities. At Liverpool, you were expected to win trophies and it's the same here. That's what's demanded of you. The fans are used to it and we have to deliver.”

Trent: New name on shirt
“When I travel around Europe, my name is a bit problematic. With three names, people call me all sorts of things. I decided to make it easy and put Trent on my back, which is my first name.”

New teammates
“I'm delighted to be playing with them rather than against them. They are world class. They're the kind of players you want to play with and train with to become better. I'm going to be able to enjoy some great games. I'm sure we'll have a really good connection. I'm going to try and replicate what I did at Liverpool here.”

Florentino Pérez
“A club president who has won so many Champions League trophies and enjoyed such success. It's incredible how the club has grown under his guidance. I'm very grateful to him for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to join such a fantastic club. I believe we can win many trophies together. I'm happy with the Spanish I've managed to learn. It's surprised a lot of people, but it was important for me to achieve that. I wanted to get off on the right foot and feel welcome.”

First memory of Real Madrid
“A long time ago. I remember Beckham playing and it was massive. I remember Cristiano's welcome at the club, it was amazing. He was the best player in the world and look at the success they had. Real Madrid demands success. It's consistent and that's what I remember.”

Will he have more support in Spain than in England?
“I haven't thought about that. I do what the coaches I've played with tell me to do. Everyone asks for different things, and I try to do what they ask of me as best as I can. I don't know if they'll appreciate me more. Whether people in a country appreciate me or not doesn't worry me that much. I want to help my teammates, win trophies and be the best version of myself every day. If they don't like how I play, that's just the way it is. As long as the coach appreciates me, I'm happy.”

Involvement from set pieces at Real Madrid
“I want to be important in every moment of the match. That's the mindset you need to have as a football player. You can't switch off, you have to influence the game with and without the ball. You have to be able to play at any moment and know what you have to do. Whatever the team and the match need, whatever it takes to win.”

Difficult departure from Liverpool
“I was there for so long. The club gave me the opportunity to achieve all my dreams. I'm grateful to them and will always be with them. Having achieved everything I've accomplished at my age, I'm ready to move on. This opportunity came along and I took it. I think it's a good decision.”

Welcome from the players
“I spoke with Huijsen. We saw each other on holiday for a week. My signing has just been announced and I will meet most of the players tomorrow at training. I still have to pinch myself to see if this is really happening. I hope to get off on the right foot by winning a trophy.”