Real Madrid’s English duo Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been left out of next year’s club calendar, sparking confusion among fans. The pair, who have been close friends since playing together for the England national team, have faced setbacks since their move to the La Liga giants.
Bellingham reportedly played a role in convincing Alexander-Arnold to leave his boyhood club Liverpool and join Real Madrid. This decision caused tension with Liverpool fans as Alexander-Arnold opted not to renew his contract with the Reds. Despite initially planning to leave for free in June, Real Madrid ended up paying £8.4m to release Alexander-Arnold from his contract early so he could participate in the Club World Cup.
However, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to adapt to his new club, especially compared to Bellingham who settled in quickly. The former Liverpool player suffered a hamstring injury just five minutes into a Champions League match against Marseille, keeping him sidelined for an extended period. Bellingham, on the other hand, underwent shoulder surgery over the summer, causing him to miss several La Liga matches upon his return.
The exclusion of both players from the official Real Madrid calendar has raised questions about their status within the club. Priced at £10.99, the calendar features other stars like Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Jr., and Kylian Mbappe, but Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold are notably absent. While Alexander-Arnold’s omission could be attributed to his late arrival from Liverpool, another player who joined on the same day, Dean Huijsen, is featured in the calendar.
Inclusions in club calendars are often seen as an indicator of a player’s standing within the team, making the snub particularly concerning for Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold as they navigate a challenging season. As they strive to make their mark at Real Madrid, the absence from the calendar raises doubts about their future with the club. Whether this decision will impact their performance on the pitch remains to be seen, but it is certainly a topic of discussion among fans and pundits alike.
