Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has said his primary career goal is to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or, adding that he would like to be remembered as the greatest right-back of all time.
The 26-year-old said he would prefer to claim the prestigious individual prize than become captain of the Merseyside club, fuelling further uncertainty around his future given his contract expires at the end of the season.
Asked by Sky Sports how he would like to be remembered, Alexander-Arnold said: “Someone who changed the game — that’s the main thing that I have — so yeah, I just want that legacy of being probably the greatest right-back to ever play football, to be honest.
“I know that there’s been many out there but, you know, I’ve got to reach for the stars, and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
The England international said the Ballon d’Or would be more important than winning a trophy with the national team.
“I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. I said it in that interview with England, it’s only the morning after you retire that you’re able to look in the mirror and say: ‘I gave it everything I got.’
“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you’ve got. It matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential.
“I’ve heard potential being thrown around my name since I was six … If you reach that potential and you know you’ve hit that potential and you’ve given it everything to maximise that potential and be the player that you think you can be, one of the best ever, then you’ll be happy, doesn’t matter how many trophies you win.
“Some people may call me deluded but I believe I can.”
Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Real Madrid as his existing deal heads towards expiry, particularly in the wake of Dani Carvajal’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior is arguably the favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or, which is set to be handed out in Paris on Monday. Manchester City midfielder Rodri is another of the outstanding candidates.
