“I don’t see that just the club allows you to win” - Stephen Warnock warns Alexander-Arnold over Real Madrid transfer with Vinicius Ballon d'Or claim

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold over his rumored move to Real Madrid in pursuit of a Ballon d'Or. The English defender is in the final months of his contract with his boyhood club and has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants in the summer.

Warnock, who made 67 appearances for The Reds and helped them to the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup, discussed Alexander-Arnold's potential move, telling BetBrain (via The Express):

“We don’t know what Trent Alexander-Arnold is thinking. The Real Madrid one is a big pull so it’s going to be a difficult decision for him. He's spoken about winning the Ballon d’Or hasn’t he. But Vinicius Junior is at that club and he didn’t win it this year. So what we’re seeing is there is a change in the way that people look at things."

He added:

“So if Liverpool go on to dominate the next two or three years and he’s playing to the ability we know he can play to and they start winning Champions Leagues, then you struggle to overlook that. I think he can win the Ballon d’Or while playing for Liverpool. I don’t see that just the club allows you to win it."

Warnock concluded, saying:

“I do think there is an element where people are a little bit biased towards Real Madrid. But if Liverpool start to dominate - which there is every chance they could do - then why can’t they win it at Liverpool?”

Alexander-Arnold is halfway through the season with The Reds, having made 21 appearances. At Christmas, the 20-time English Champions sit comfortably atop the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables.

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"It is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid" - Los Blanco's furious reaction to Vinicius Jr.'s Ballon d'Or snub

Late in October 2024, Spanish champions Real Madrid reacted furiously to their Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. missing out on the Ballon d'Or award to Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Brazilian was widely expected to claim the prize after his mercurial talent helped Los Blancos to The UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles last season.

The forward was integral to the Spanish giants' campaign, bagging 25 goals and 12 assists in 40 games in the previous campaign. After the new broke that the award would instead go to the European Championship-winning midfielder Rodri, Real Madrid reacted angrily.

In a statement made to AS (via GOAL), the 15-time Champions League winners said:

"If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner. Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected."

Vinicius Jr. has continued his fine form for his club this season, scoring an impressive 13 goals and nine assists in his first 20 games. The Forward will be keen to maintain his form and lead his club to more glory by the end of the campaign.