Trent Alexander-Arnold has expressed his ambition to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or, declaring that it would be “amazing” if Liverpool secures a victory against Arsenal on Sunday.
Established as one of the finest attacking right-backs in the world, Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed a successful career with the Reds,.
He has won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup.
As he marks eight years since his Liverpool debut, the 26-year-old finds himself in a precarious situation, poised to leave Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Contract negotiations have yet to reach a resolution, and Real Madrid is rumoured to be interested in his services.
However, looking to the future, Alexander-Arnold has a clear vision for where he wants his career to go.
“I believe I can win the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
“I want to be the first full-back to ever do it.
“It’s only the morning after you retire that you’re able to look at yourself in the mirror and say you’ve given it everything you have got.
“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win or medals you have got, it matters about what you have given to the game and if you reach your full potential.
“I’ve heard potential being thrown around with my name since the age of six.
“If you reach that potential and you know you have and you’ve given everything to maximise that potential and be the player you believe you can be, which is one of the best ever, then you’ll be happy.
“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, I guess.
“Do I have the potential to be that?
“For sure. I believe it. Some people may call me deluded but I believe I can.”
Although only Michael Owen has won the Ballon d’Or while playing for Liverpool, representatives from Real Madrid have won the award 12 times, a record that they share with their Spanish rivals, Barcelona.
Alexander-Arnold added: “(I want to be) a legend of football, someone who changed the game.
“A saying I have is ‘don’t play the game, change the game’.
“I want that legacy of being probably the greatest right-back ever to play football, to be honest.
“I know there have been many out there but I have got to reach for the stars.
“That’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a standout performer under Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, this season.
The Reds have enjoyed a remarkable start, winning 11 of their first 12 matches in all competitions and currently sitting one point clear at the top of the Premier League.
This Sunday, they face title contenders Arsenal, and a victory could see Liverpool extend their lead over the Gunners to seven points at this early stage of the campaign.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Alexander-Arnold shared his thoughts on his favorite away venues and emphasized the significance of a win for Liverpool this weekend.
“Toughest away venue is Goodison, it’s always a dogfight with Everton,” he said.
“In my career it has been quite balanced, we’ve had a few wins, they’ve had a win and there’s been a lot of draws.
“I do love beating Man Utd away, think back to the 5-0 and the 3-0.
“The Emirates, beating them (Arsenal) there would be amazing.
“I’ve beat them there a few times but that’s when they weren’t really at the top of the game as they are now.
“In terms of an arena, United (is my favourite).
“But people always talk about Man City’s atmosphere and, hand on heart, when we play them the atmosphere is incredible.
“We feel it. It’s intense.”
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