Why Alexander-Arnold Can't Wear Number 66 at Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool legend, has always been synonymous with the number 66. However, his move to Real Madrid comes with a twist—he can't wear his iconic number. La Liga's strict squad number rules dictate that outfield players must wear numbers between 1 and 25. This rule is part of the league's regulations to maintain a standardised system across all clubs.

La Liga's Squad Number Regulations

In La Liga, each club must name a 25-man 'A' squad at the start of the season. Players in this squad are required to wear numbers from 1 to 25, with goalkeepers typically assigned numbers 1, 13, and 25. Youth players not included in the initial 'A' squad can wear higher numbers. When Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid, the only available outfield numbers were 12 and 18. He chose number 12, which was previously worn by Eduardo Camavinga, who switched to number 6 after Nacho Fernandez's departure.

The Legacy of Number 12 at Real Madrid

Number 12 has a rich history at Real Madrid. It was famously worn by Brazilian left-back Marcelo for 16 years, during which he won 25 major trophies. Before Marcelo, former Bolton defender Ivan Campo also donned the number during his four-year stint at the Bernabeu.

Why Alexander-Arnold Wore 66 at Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold made his Liverpool debut wearing number 66 in October 2016 against Tottenham in the EFL Cup. The number was simply allocated to him as a young player, and he chose to keep it even after becoming the first-choice right-back. Liverpool's kit co-ordinator, Lee Radcliffe, explained that high numbers are deliberately given to young players to keep them grounded.

Other High Squad Numbers in Football

Alexander-Arnold isn't the only player to stick with a high squad number. Declan Rice (41) and Phil Foden (47) have also maintained the numbers from their professional debuts. High squad numbers are more common in Serie A, where players often wear numbers above 80.

Unusual Shirt Numbers in Football History

Football has seen some unique shirt numbers over the years. Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano famously wore a '1+8' shirt for Inter Milan after Ronaldo joined the club. Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni wore number 618 to commemorate his appearance record at Sao Paulo. Australian midfielder Tommy Oar even wore number 121 in an international fixture.

The Significance of Squad Numbers

Squad numbers are more than just identifiers; they often carry personal and historical significance. While La Liga restricts numbers to 1-25, other leagues like the Premier League allow players to choose from 1-99, giving players more freedom to express their individuality.

Conclusion

Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid highlights the intriguing world of squad numbers in football. While he can't wear his beloved number 66, his choice of number 12 continues the legacy of great players who have worn it before him. Football's rules and traditions around squad numbers add another layer of depth to the beautiful game.