Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold may not play again in 2025 after picking up an injury in Wednesday’s win at Athletic Bilbao.
The former Liverpool player had to come off in the 55th minute after landing awkwardly on his right ankle.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Suffers Serious Injury in Real Madrid Win
On Wednesday, Trent Alexander-Arnold made the starting XI for only the fifth time in LaLiga. He had an impressive start to the game, as he assisted Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid’s first goal of the night.
However, the Englishman had a disappointing end to his night, as an ankle injury forced him to come off in the 55th minute. Shortly after the game, ESPN reported that Los Blancos were worried about their right-back’s latest injury.
According to Spanish journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, Alexander-Arnold’s injury is indeed serious. He thinks that the 27-year-old is unlikely to play again in 2025.
With Dani Carvajal also injured, Madrid do not have a natural right-back in their ranks. David Alaba, Dean Huijsen, and Ferland Mendy are also on the treatment table.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury will be a serious one.
It is very likely that he won’t play again in 2025.
🤕 @JLSanchez78 pic.twitter.com/u2FJoZHP0W
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) December 4, 2025
How Many Games Could Alexander-Arnold Miss?
According to injury expert @physioscout on X (formerly Twitter), Trent Alexander-Arnold could miss up to five weeks of football if his injury is serious.
“Looks like a classic lateral ankle sprain mechanism for Trent Alexander-Arnold here,” they wrote.
“Most look worse than they actually are, and usually do facilitate quite a quick recovery. Less than a week or two. If there’s any ligamentous damage (shown through scans), he could miss 3-5 weeks.”
Looks like a classic lateral ankle sprain mechanism for Trent Alexander-Arnold here.
Most look worse than they actually are, and usually do facilitate quite a quick recovery. Less than a week or two.
If there’s any ligamentous damage (shown through scans), he could miss 3-5… pic.twitter.com/Su4UKN3R5q
— Physio Scout | Football Injury Analysis (@physioscout) December 3, 2025
If there is any ligamentous damage, the Englishman could miss up to six matches across LaLiga, Champions League, and Supercopa de Espana.
Games Alexander-Arnold Could Miss
- Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo (LaLiga) – December 7
- Real Madrid vs Manchester City (Champions League) – December 10
- Deportivo Alaves vs Real Madrid (LaLiga) – December 14
- Real Madrid vs Sevilla (LaLiga) – December 21
- Real Madrid vs Real Betis (LaLiga) – January 4
- Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (Supercopa de Espana) – January 8
The latest injury setback could force Los Blancos to sign a defender in the January transfer window.
Real Madrid admire Marc Guehi and have reportedly enquired about signing him on a free this summer. It will be interesting to see if they approach Palace over an emergency winter transfer.
Mbappe Scores Brace in Win Over Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid ended their three-game winless run in LaLiga (D 3) with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
He got on the end of a perfectly measured long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, beat multiple Athletic defenders, and applied an excellent outside-the-box finish.
Just before the break, Real Madrid scored a superb team goal, with Eduardo Camavinga applying the final touch.
Finally, in the 59th minute, Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s third, once again finding the net from long range. It was Mbappe’s 16th LaLiga goal of the season.
The victory against the Basque outfit allowed Los Blancos to move within one point of league leaders Barcelona, easing pressure on Xabi Alonso.
In November, there was speculation about Alonso’s future, with Jurgen Klopp linked with Madrid.
The commanding nature of Wednesday’s win has put Alonso in a much better position heading into the second half of the season.
