Why can't Trent Alexander Arnold wear jersey number 66 at Real Madrid

While Trent Alexander Arnold has exchanged his loyalties from Liverpool for Real Madrid on a Bosman transfer, it is not only the fans he is leaving behind at Merseyside. It is also his jersey number he will be leaving at Anfield. The English full-back will not be able to don the No. 66 in Real Madrid colors from the next season at Santiago Bernabéu. 

However, this is not a specific restriction on the 26-year-old player. According to the rules of La Liga, no player in the first-team squad can wear a jersey beyond the number 25. This is also made to indicate the squad size of the team. However, there have been exceptions in the past where players have donned beyond the No. 25 jersey, but they had to change after a point in time. 

Trent Alexander Arnold’s new number will be shared very shortly by the club.

Who is allowed to wear the jersey numbers beyond 25? 

According to the La Liga rulebook, any youngster who has risen through the ranks of the club and broken out of the academy can don the jersey number beyond 25. Among the Real Madrid players, Raul Asencio was allowed to wear No. 35 in the league. However, with the player signing a new contract with Real Madrid, his new number will be pronounced shortly by the club.

Which number will Trent Alexander Arnold can avail?

In his early days and with the national team, Trent Alexander-Arnold has worn numbers 2, 7, 8, and 10. However, at Real Madrid, those numbers are currently taken by Carvajal, Vinícius Jr., Federico Valverde, and Luka Modrić, respectively. One notable option still available is the number 12 jersey, previously worn by club legend Marcelo. Interestingly, choosing number 12 would serve as a subtle homage to Alexander-Arnold’s iconic number 66. When added differently, it would sum to 12.