Trent Alexander-Arnold: How Long Will The Real Madrid Defender Be Out?

‎Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Olympique Marseille took a dramatic turn just minutes into the match when new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off with an apparent hamstring problem.

‎The 26-year-old full-back, competing for a starting spot with veteran captain Dani Carvajal, lasted only four minutes before clutching the back of his thigh and signaling to the bench.

‎The sight of Alexander-Arnold limping off was a major concern for Los Blancos, especially given his promising start to life at the Santiago Bernabéu.

‎While early reports suggested the injury might be relatively minor, Spanish outlets Marca and Diario AS have since confirmed that the England international has suffered a hamstring tear expected to keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks.

‎Extent of the Injury

‎The medical diagnosis points toward either a grade two or grade three hamstring tear.

‎In football terms, this means Alexander-Arnold faces a long road to recovery, with his return unlikely before early November.

Manager Xabi Alonso tried to ease concerns, noting that the injury was “not as bad as first feared,” but it still represents a serious setback for the defender and the club.

‎His absence comes at a particularly crucial time. Not only is he adjusting to life in Spain, but Real Madrid’s fixture list in the coming weeks is packed with heavyweight clashes that could shape their domestic and European campaigns.

‎Games He Will Miss

‎If recovery timelines hold, Alexander-Arnold is set to miss at least eight matches before the end of October, including some of the biggest fixtures of the season:

‎Espanyol (H)

‎Levante (A)

‎Atletico Madrid (A) – Madrid Derby

‎Kairat Almaty (A) – Champions League

‎Villarreal (H)

‎Getafe (A)

‎Juventus (H) – Champions League

‎Barcelona (H) – El Clásico

‎The most painful absences for fans will undoubtedly be the Madrid derby against Atletico and the first El Clásico of the season against Barcelona at the Bernabéu. Both fixtures are central to Madrid’s ambitions, and missing a player of Alexander-Arnold’s caliber in those games is a significant blow.

‎Looking further ahead, his return could coincide with Madrid’s Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield on November 4th.

‎Facing his boyhood club on Merseyside would be a symbolic and emotional moment, though it remains uncertain whether he will recover in time. He also risks missing league ties against Valencia (H) and Rayo Vallecano (A) if his rehabilitation takes longer.

‎Xabi Alonso’s Dilemma

‎The injury leaves manager Xabi Alonso with some difficult decisions. For now, he will lean heavily on Dani Carvajal, who is no stranger to shouldering responsibility at right-back.

‎However, at 33 years old and coming off a serious cruciate ligament injury, Carvajal cannot realistically be expected to play every game at full intensity.

‎Alonso may need to explore alternatives within his squad, possibly rotating younger defenders or shifting tactical setups to protect Carvajal. With Real Madrid competing across La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cups, squad depth will be tested earlier than expected.

‎What This Means for Alexander-Arnold

‎For Alexander-Arnold personally, this injury could not have come at a worse time. Having just arrived at Madrid, he was still building rhythm and chemistry with his teammates.

‎Missing two of the club’s biggest games so early in his Bernabéu career may slow his integration.

‎Still, Madrid will be hoping that his recovery stays on schedule. If he can return in time for the clash against Liverpool, it could serve as the perfect stage for him to reannounce himself on the European stage.

‎Until then, his focus will be on rehabilitation, with the club’s medical team carefully managing his workload to avoid setbacks.