As Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold sets his sights on the ultimate individual prize, the 26-year-old is not content with just lifting trophies. Having already established himself as one of the top full-backs in the world, Alexander-Arnold is gunning for the Ballon d’Or, an honor that has eluded his position previously.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, the two-time Champions League winner stated, “I believe I can win a Ballon d’Or. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it.” Alexander-Arnold’s ambition is nothing short of astronomical, given that no full-back has ever received the coveted award since its inception in 1956. Even Brazil legend Roberto Carlos, who finished second in 2002, is the only full-back to have come close to winning the award.
Alexander-Arnold’s desire to be remembered as the “greatest right-back to have played football” demonstrates a clear distaste for simply playing the game. He wants to leave a lasting impact on the sport, making a difference that will be remembered for generations to come. “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,” he emphasized.
The English international and his Liverpool teammates will look to build on their impressive start to the season, currently sitting top of the Premier League table, when they travel to Arsenal on Sunday. However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the 26-year-old could be tempted by Real Madrid’s reported £14m-15m per year offer, which would run until the 2029-30 season.
Time will tell if Alexander-Arnold can achieve his lofty ambitions, but for now, his focus remains on the bigger picture. As he so eloquently put it, “I have got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
