LFC Live - Trent Alexander-Arnold hit with Liverpool exit irony after latest Real Madrid decision

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Trent Alexander-Arnold made his feelings about the Ballon d'Or award crystal clear in the months leading up to his Liverpool exit for Real Madrid.

But, for the second year running Los Blancos are distancing themselves from the prestigious individual prize.

A ceremony will take place on Monday night in Paris, to crown the best men's and women's players in football over the past calendar year.

There are five Liverpool players, including Mohamed Salah, amongst the 30 nominees, of which there are also three global stars from Real Madrid.

But according to RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior will not be in attendance for the crowning.

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Real Madrid reportedly told their players they are allowed to attend themselves if they wish to do so, but it will not be as part of an official club entourage if they do so.

Supporters may remember reports last year on the day of day of 2024's ceremony, when leaks emerged suggesting Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri had beaten out Vinicius to the men's prize.

The La Liga club took offence to this and cancelled their attendance, and it seems a boycott will remain in place for the second successive year.

Alexander-Arnold may not have been recognised with a nomination for performances during his final, Premier League-title winning season at Liverpool as his boyhood club's vice-captain, though it is an award he made no secret of personal hopes he could win one day.

As his the final year of his Reds contract was ticking away, the 26-year-old sent faint alarm bells ringing when admitting he would rather win the Ballon d'Or when given the choice between the sport's most prestigious individual award and lifting a second Champions League with Liverpool, captaining the Reds, or lifting silverware with England.

"I just want that legacy of being recognised as the best right-back to ever play football, if I am honest," he reasoned with Sky Sports' Harriet Prior.

"I know there have been many (great right-backs) out there but, you know, I've got reach for the stars."

The Ballon d'Or has been won only once before by a Liverpool player, but seven different men have won the award a collective 11 times representing Los Blancos throughout history.

They take pride in their Galacticos being named the best footballing individual on the planet, which is why Vinicius' runner-up finish of 2024 has been taken so strongly to heart.

All Alexander-Arnold has done is end up in a particularly precarious scenario with a club detaching themselves from the accolade he desires most, at least for the time being, whereas his former club have no such issues.

What's more, his chances of making the 2026 list of nominees took a hit last week when he was sidelined with a new injury - one that risks an Anfield homecoming as a Champions League opponent in early November.

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