“Beckham defends Alexander-Arnold as a star of Real Madrid.”

David Beckham has no doubts: Trent Alexander-Arnold is destined to shine at Real Madrid and deserves a guaranteed spot in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup. The former England captain, who knows firsthand the pressure of a high-profile transfer to the “merengues,” issued a direct warning to Thomas Tuchel and the coaching staff of the Three Lions, arguing that leaving the young defender out would be a colossal mistake.

Since swapping Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer, Alexander-Arnold has experienced ups and downs during a period of adaptation that has not always convinced critics. His absence from the March call-up for the England national team raised many questions, but Beckham does not hesitate to show his unconditional support for the 27-year-old right-back.

In the recent Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, where Real Madrid lost 2-1, both the player’s weaknesses and talent were on display. Despite losing track of former Liverpool teammate Luis Díaz for the opening goal, Alexander-Arnold responded brilliantly with a masterful cross that allowed Kylian Mbappé to equalize, giving the Spanish team hope for the second leg.

Beckham, who also made the transition from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2003, is well aware of the difficulties and criticisms that accompany a move of this magnitude. In statements to talkSPORT, the former player was emphatic: “I’m a big fan of Trent Alexander-Arnold, I love watching him play. I’ve heard so many times criticisms about his defensive ability compared to his attacking… but that’s something we have to accept.”

The former star also recalled the example of Roberto Carlos, one of the greatest full-backs in history, who also had offensive freedom and left the defense to his teammates: “Roberto Carlos was a fantastic defender, but he also had a massive offensive role. With Trent, I would have a hard time leaving him out.”

For his part, Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, acknowledges the dilemma: “It’s a very difficult decision. Trent has accepted the situation with professionalism and will continue to fight. I will watch some Real Madrid games, especially in the Champions League, to form my final opinion. He is still on the long list, but at the moment, other players are slightly ahead.”

The battle for Alexander-Arnold’s place in the England team is far from decided. With the World Cup approaching, the pressure is on for coaches to invest in the talent and experience of those who can make a difference in crucial moments. Beckham issues a warning: leaving Trent out could cost England dearly. The final decision promises to be one of the hottest topics of this international season.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.