Trent Alexander-Arnold left with Ballon d’Or irony after ditching Liverpool for Real Madrid

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Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't hold back on his true feelings about the Ballon d'Or award in the run-up to his departure from Liverpool for Real Madrid.

However, for the second year on the trot, Los Blancos are keeping their distance from the esteemed individual accolade.

The ceremony to honour the best male and female footballers of the past year is being held in Paris on Monday night.



Los Blancos have reportedly informed their players they can attend if they wish, but not as part of an official club delegation.

READ MORE:Liverpool boss Arne Slot pays tribute after tragic death - 'A great human being'READ MORE:Ballon d'Or 2025: Voting conspiracy emerges over star who insists 'I deserve it'

Fans may recall reports from the day of the 2024 ceremony when rumours suggested Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri had pipped Vinicius to the men's prize.

This upset the La Liga club, leading them to cancel their attendance, and a boycott has continued for a second consecutive year.

According to RMC Sport, Alexander-Arnold's new team Los Blancos were following the example they set last season by not attending the glitzy event.

Alexander-Arnold may not have received a nomination for his performances during his final season at Liverpool, where he helped secure the Premier League title as vice-captain of his childhood club.

However, he has never hidden his personal ambition to win the award one day.

As his final year of his Reds contract was running down, the 26-year-old set off mild warning signals when asked to choose between winning the Ballon d'Or or adding more team triumphs to his trophy cabinet.

He confessed the individual award would give him more satisfaction than winning a second Champions League triumph with Liverpool, skippering the Reds or securing silverware with England.

He said to Sky Sports: "I just want that legacy of being recognised as the best right-back to ever play football, if I am honest.

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 claimed just once previously by a Liverpool player, but seven different individuals have secured the prize a combined 11 times whilst representing Los Blancos throughout history.

They take immense satisfaction in their Galacticos being crowned the finest footballing talent on earth, which explains why Vinicius' second-place finish in 2024 has been received so bitterly.

Now Alexander-Arnold is in an awkward position with a club distancing themselves from the recognition he craves most, at least temporarily, whilst his previous club face no such complications.

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Moreover, his prospects of featuring on the 2026 shortlist suffered a blow last week when he was ruled out with a fresh injury - one which threatens an Anfield return as a Champions League adversary in early November.

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