Trent Alexander-Arnold receives a stern warning from Real Madrid.

Real Madrid's top boss has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold, and manager Xabi Alonso cannot guarantee him a starting spot now that Dani Carvajal has returned.

According to Diario Sport, Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to lose his right-back position to Dani Carvajal in the coming weeks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold receives a warning from Real Madrid president: he must fight hard for a starting spot. Photo: X Trent

The former Liverpool player started in Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Osasuna, their opening match of the 2025/26 La Liga season, but failed to make the impact expected. In the 68th minute, he was substituted by Xabi Alonso, bringing on Dani Carvajal, who played with more desire and inspired the team significantly.

MB reports that " the right-back position at Real Madrid has never been as fiercely contested as it is now ." Dani Carvajal, who has held this position at the Bernabeu for almost a decade, is an irreplaceable name, and now there is the addition of the young Trent Alexander-Arnold to compete for the spot.

Trent Alexander-Arnold started 5 of Real Madrid's 6 matches in the FIFA Club World Cup (only missing the semi-final against PSG due to injury), but Dani Carvajal has returned from a serious injury last season (October 2025).

Coach Xabi Alonso said that Dani Carvajal has been training very hard and is close to regaining his former form. The Real Madrid manager pointed out that Jude Bellingham's close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold will have to compete with the experienced mainstay for a starting spot.

“ I see many positions in the squad that are covered by two players, and right-back is one of them, with two excellent players in Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. That’s great to improve the quality of the squad . Real Madrid will play a lot of games and the team needs to be at its best .”

Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their opening match of the 2025/26 La Liga season marked the return of captain Dani Carvajal after a serious injury. Photo: DAZN Football

According to MB, Trent Alexander-Arnold received a warning from President Florentino Perez: " Either you perform really well, or Dani Carvajal will still be a starter."

That message also means Dani Carvajal needs to be highly determined if he wants to retain his position, as he was before his long injury layoff and only recently returned.

Xabi Alonso will have to carefully choose between Carvajal's experience and Alexander Arnold's creativity, as the issue lies not only in individual talent but also in the balance of the Real Madrid squad. A wrong decision could be disastrous for the White Eagles.

Real Madrid's next match is an away game against Oviedo in the second round of La Liga, at 2:30 AM on August 25th.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/trent-alexander-arnold-nhan-canh-bao-gat-tu-real-madrid-2434576.html