Trent Alexander-Arnold has said he wants to be remembered as the “greatest right-back to have played football” as he set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or.
The Liverpool defender, who is out of contract at the end of the season and is admired by Real Madrid, has openly admitted he regards himself as an “elite” player and has ambitions to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or.
The 2024 ceremony takes place in Paris on Monday with Real’s Vinícius Júnior the leading contender to win the men’s award and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí in line to defend her crown in the women’s section. Alexander-Arnold is not on the list of nominees for the 68th edition of the awards.
However, the 26-year-old has his eyes on the prize and suggested he would rather win the Ballon d’Or over the World Cup.
“I believe I can [win the Ballon d’Or],” Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports. “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 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.”
Real’s former star Roberto Carlos was runner-up in the 2002 Ballon d’Or while right-back Lucy Bronze came second to USA’s Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
Two full-backs are in the mix for the men’s 2024 award – Real’s Dani Carvajal and Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo – but are unlikely to take the top prize.
Asked how he wants to be remembered after he hangs up his boots, Alexander-Arnold said: “A legend of football, someone who changed the game.
“That is the main thing that I have – ‘don’t play the game; change the game’. I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to have played football.
“I have got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”
