After Real Madrid’s surprising decision on Monday morning, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold might reconsider joining them next summer.

In a recent Sky Sports interview, the Liverpool right-back was asked to choose between winning the Champions League, the World Cup, or the Ballon d’Or. Unexpectedly, the 25-year-old picked the individual award, a choice Jamie Carragher found “strange.”

Real Madrid’s reaction to the Ballon d’Or could impact Alexander-Arnold’s ambitions

During Sky Sports’ Arsenal vs. Liverpool coverage, Carragher commented, “My first thought when I read that is you’re not winning the Ballon d’Or as a right-back for Liverpool,” and added, “Ballon d’Or winners usually play for Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

While Liverpool appears to be scouting for Alexander-Arnold’s potential replacement, his loyalty to the Reds has been praised.

Liverpool fans will hope he stays after Real Madrid chose to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday. After a heavy defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico, Real intended to attend the event to support Vini Jr. as a possible winner.

But when it became apparent the Brazilian wouldn’t win, Real Madrid declined to send a delegation, marking a dramatic snub.

According to *Marca*, a Real Madrid-favoring Spanish publication, the club was furious and now considers the Ballon d’Or “irrelevant”—the strongest stance the club has ever taken against the awards.

This isn’t Real Madrid’s first protest either, as Cristiano Ronaldo refused to attend the ceremony in 2018 when he didn’t win (Sky Italy/One Football).

With Real’s backlash and strong sentiment against the award, Alexander-Arnold may find that joining Real Madrid next summer could limit his Ballon d’Or chances.