When asked whether he would prefer to win the Ballon d’Or and captain Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reaction was not what many fans were expecting.
Alexander-Arnold is arguably one of the best players at his position in world football and one of the best players ever to play as a right-back.
This is what makes Liverpool tie him down to a very important new long-term deal. Because despite the quality of reserve Connor Bradley, there is no replacement for No. 66.
There are still doubts about whether Alexander-Arnold will commit his future to the club, especially with Real Madrid in hiding, and his recent comments could be concerning.
In an interview with Sky Sports’ Harriet Prior, the 26-year-old was asked to choose from four options as to what she would most like to achieve in her career.
The options are: win another Champions League; Ballon d’Or winner; Becomes Liverpool captain; Or maybe win a trophy for England.
“[It’s a dream]But I have already captained Liverpool. “Technically I’m already captain of Liverpool,” he replied.
“I mean, I would love to be Liverpool captain, but that’s not really possible because it’s not my decision. [consideration here].
“Winning the World Cup with England will change the game. [but] I think I can win the Ballon d’Or. Of course. Because I believe I can do it.
“I want to be the first full-back to do this.”
Alexander-Arnold has long insisted that his dream is to become Liverpool captain, so it could be a cause for concern how quickly he abandons that option given the current circumstances.
But there is also a sense that, having achieved everything he has already, the playmaker has simply set his sights higher – and that could still be achieved at Anfield.
“As I said in an interview when I was in England, only the day after I retire can I look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave everything I had,’” he added.
“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win or how many medals you win. What matters is what you give to the game and whether you reach your full potential.
“Ever since I was six years old, I’ve been told my name has ‘potential.’
“He has the potential to do this, he has the potential to do that, as he gets older he has the potential to be a first-team player, he has the potential to play for England, he can be a captain or captain. It has potential. Vice captain.
“If you reach that potential, and you know you’ve reached that potential, and you know you’ve given everything to maximize that potential, and you become the player you believe you can be – this is one of the best of all time – then you are happy
“I don’t think it matters how many trophies you win.
“I believe [I can win the Ballon d’Or]“Some people may say I cheated, but I believe I can.”
Alexander-Arnold has clearly given Liverpool confidence that they can cement their status as the club’s all-time greats rather than elsewhere. And in the context of the Ballon d’Or, this could of course be problematic.
Of the last 14 Ballon d’Or awards, 12 have gone to La Liga players, with the remaining two going to Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
If so, it could come down to Liverpool’s overall success under Arne Slot and the widespread recognition of Alexander-Arnold’s role within it.
“[I want to be seen as] A football legend, a person who changed the game, that’s my mantra. “Don’t play the game, change the game,” he continued.
“So I want a legacy of being, to be honest, probably the greatest right-back in the history of football.
“I know there is a lot out there, but you have to reach for the stars. That’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
