The England international has begun training with Real Madrid under new head coach José Mourinho, signalling his commitment to fight for his place at the Bernabéu after a challenging 2025-26 campaign.
Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid in summer 2025, endured a difficult debut season marked by inconsistency and criticism from Spanish media. However, the arrival of Mourinho has appeared to reignite his motivation, with the defender describing preseason training as “demanding” while praising the intensity of the Portuguese manager’s methods.
Speaking to reporters at Ciudad Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold reflected on the fresh opportunity: “José has brought a winning mentality. The sessions are intense, demanding, and that’s exactly what I needed. I’m eager to prove myself and help Real Madrid win trophies.”
The right-back’s path has been cleared by the departure of club captain Dani Carvajal, who retired this summer after 15 years at the club. With new signing Denzel Dumfries also competing for the position, Alexander-Arnold faces a critical campaign to establish himself as a key player in Mourinho’s setup.
Sources close to the club indicate Mourinho has expressed confidence in the 27-year-old’s abilities, viewing him as capable of delivering the defensive solidity and attacking contribution required at this level. The manager’s arrival represents a turning point after a season in which Alexander-Arnold struggled to replicate the form that made him one of England’s most decorated players.
“Trent has all the quality needed,” Mourinho said in recent comments. “Now it’s about consistency, football intelligence, and applying that to every match.”
Real Madrid continue their preseason preparations ahead of the new La Liga campaign, with a behind-closed-doors friendly scheduled against Leganés on 28 July.
