Trent Alexander-Arnold: Wayne Rooney explains how England star can become 'world's best full-back' | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Wayne Rooney explains how England star can become 'world's best full-back' | OneFootball

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·17 February 2026

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Wayne Rooney explains how England star can become 'world's best full-back'

Article image:Trent Alexander-Arnold: Wayne Rooney explains how England star can become 'world's best full-back'

Real Madrid man has struggled with injury in his debut campaign

Article image:Trent Alexander-Arnold: Wayne Rooney explains how England star can become 'world's best full-back'

Something to work on: Trent Alexander-Arnold


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Wayne Rooney has identified the key attribute that Trent Alexander-Arnold needs to improve to become the “best full-back in the world”.

The former Liverpool right-back joined Real Madrid last summer, and has struggled in his first term in Spain with persistent injury problems.

He moved ahead of the Club World Cup, with Madrid paying a fee to Liverpool worth £8.4million so that he could play for Los Blancos in the United States.

The 27-year-old returned to action this month after a two-month lay-off with a thigh injury that he sustained in Real’s win over Athletic Club.

The England international started in his side’s dramatic 1-0 win at Benfica in the Champions League play-off on Tuesday, and before the game, Rooney said that his fellow Liverpudlian could become the best in his position.

“A lot of the teams will target down the sides in transition,” Rooney explained on Amazon Primve Video.

“He has to be good at defending. He has to be good at both sides of the game. On the ball, he’s one of the best in world football.

“Off the ball, defensively, that’s where he has to improve, That’s where the question marks are on Trent.

“If he improves that, there’s no doubt that he will be the best full-back in the world.”

Alexander-Arnold has played 14 games in all competitions for his new side this season, laying on two assists.

He returned to action against Valencia as a substitute at the start of February, before starting in the league win over Real Sociedad last weekend.

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