Meet the South African teenager who played Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool star’s documentary
Imagine a Liverpool fanatic getting a call to play the role of your idol – Trent Alexander-Arnold – in his documentary!
That was Gabriano Shelton, 15, alongside his 12-year-old brother, El Niño, a year ago. The two South African brothers live with their parents in Merseyside, the home of the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold was shooting his documentary Win As One, done by EA, which premiered in June 2021. The documentary captures the story of the Liverpool star’s journey from the streets of Melwood in West Derby to The Reds’ dressing room.
YOUNG TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
When the directors sought characters that would play younger Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Shelton boys fit the bill.
“The boys were fortunate to be cast in Trent’s documentary. Gabriano played the part of “young Trent”, and El Niño played Trent’s brother,” the boys’ dad, Enrico, tells FARPost.
You get the feeling it was a mind-blowing opportunity for the boys who grew up supporting Liverpool. Of course, it was.
Gabriano is enjoying a similar path to the one Alexander-Arnold took through the Liverpool Academy.
Like his role model, he started his career as a midfielder before switching to right-back. Interestingly, Alexander-Arnold, named in England’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad, has risen to become one of the best fullbacks in the modern game.
“Trent also gave me and my brother advice when we did his documentary. I was lucky to play the role of younger Trent, and El Niño was chosen to play the role of his bro. It was amazing, and he told us to enjoy every moment, work hard and stay focused on what we want to achieve,” Gabriano tells FARPost.
SHELTON CAPTAINS LIVERPOOL
Again, like his role model, the 15-year-old captains the Liverpool Under 15 team.
Gabriano was born in England, and El Niño, a budding striker, was born in Germany, but both hold British citizenship.
According to their dad, Gabriano started playing football in November 2013, aged six, while his younger sibling caught the football bug the following year. He was aged four at the time.
In an exclusive interview, Gabriano recently highlighted the traits he has learnt in the game from his various coaches.
“My first coaches were coaches Sven, Jan and Harry. They taught me about ball mastery. Then all my coaches at Apoel FC in Cyprus taught me to be tough, stand up for myself on the pitch, and have a winning mentality.
“Then the staff at the academy have taught us The Liverpool Way: ambition, nothing is impossible, commitment, self-improvement, being proud and professional. The unity to bring the best out of each other and the dignity to earn respect through honesty and integrity.”
PLAYED RUGBY
At some point, the two boys played rugby in Cyprus, and Enrico revealed they were top try scorers.
“El Niño and Gabriano both played rugby in Cyprus and were top try scorers and player of the season.”
El Niño plays for Elite Under 13s in a junior league in Liverpool and the Liverpool Schoolboys County.
In 2027, five years from now, Gabriano could be ripe for sharing the dressing room with Alexander-Arnold. However, he hopes to don the Bafana Bafana jersey instead of the Three Lions one his idol wears.
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