Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 21-year-old Liverpool right-back, has set his sights high for the remainder of his career. The English international has ambitions to make history as the first full-back to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, a coveted honour that has eluded the likes of David Beckham and Philipp Lahm.
Alexander-Arnold, who made his Anfield debut in 2016, has already achieved a wealth of success, including lifting the Premier League trophy in 2019/20 and the Champions League title the season before. His impressive performances have earned him 11 caps for the English national team, and he is now targeting nothing short of greatness.
“I want to be the first full-back to ever do it,” Alexander-Arnold said in an interview with Sky Sports. “I believe I can.” When quizzed on his career aspirations, the Liverpool star revealed a desire to be remembered as a “legend of football, someone who changed the game.” He cited the mantra, “Don’t play the game, change the game,” as motivation for his high ambitions.
The 2023/24 Ballon d’Or ceremony is fast approaching, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Manchester City’s Rodri among the favourites to lift the trophy. However, Alexander-Arnold is refusing to let his defensive role limit his aspirations. The 25-year-old Spain international, Rodri, is unlikely to win the award due to his position as a defensive midfielder, but Alexander-Arnold is tempering his ambition.
As he continues to develop his craft, Alexander-Arnold has a focus on reaching his full potential and leaving a lasting legacy. “It’s only after the morning after you retire that you’re able to look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave it everything I got’,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you’ve got, it matters what you give to the game.”
With his sights set on the top prize, Alexander-Arnold will be keenly following the Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 28, where the world’s top footballers will gather to celebrate the best in the sport. As he chases his dream, the Liverpool star is undeterred by the stature of his rivals and remains focused on achieving greatness. As he so eloquently put it, “I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to ever play football. I want to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
