Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be able to wear his No. 66 jersey at Real Madrid because of a lesser-known rule.
The Liverpool star`s contract is ending this summer, and he is prepared to leave Anfield without a transfer fee.
Alexander-Arnold is reportedly going to sign a five-year contract with Real Madrid and earn £240,000 per week.
His move to Spain will end his time at Liverpool, his childhood club, and his nine years of wearing the No. 66 shirt will also come to an end.
This is because a La Liga rule prevents players from having squad numbers higher than No. 25, which corresponds to the size of a team`s squad.
Only young players who are not officially part of the senior team but can still play are allowed to wear a higher number on their back.
His future Real Madrid teammate Raul Asencio is an exception to this rule, currently having a breakthrough season wearing the No. 35 shirt.
The No. 66 has become strongly associated with Alexander-Arnold since he was given it when he first began training with the first team in 2016.
He received it because it was available and not a low number that would suggest he was already a key member of the Liverpool team.
However, Alexander-Arnold quickly became a regular starter wearing this unique number and has continued to use it ever since.
While playing for England, he has worn the No. 2, No. 7, No. 8, and No. 10 shirts.
Even though he is seemingly leaving Liverpool without a transfer fee, the club is still set to receive money from Real Madrid.
The Champions League champions want to finalize the signing in time for the revamped Club World Cup, which begins on June 15.
Alexander-Arnold`s contract runs until June 30, and Real Madrid is reportedly willing to pay around £5 million to end the contract early so he can join his new team in the US for the tournament.
