He is one of only three Englishmen to score in a World Cup semi-final and he produced an assist in a European Championship final.
He was instrumental in one of his clubs winning La Liga and at Russia 2018, he was the player who created the most chances in the tournament, his tally of 24 putting him ahead of Kevin de Bruyne, Neymar, Luka Madrid and Eden Hazard.
“Not bad for a Bury lad,” as he said at the time. And no-one has been more instrumental in the early-season success story of Newcastle United.
Yet still, Kieran Trippier is a footballer who flies under the publicity radar. He is certainly no poster player, in the manner, say, of a Harry Kane or a Jude Bellingham. But Trippier is happy it is that way.
Asked if he was an unglamorous player, he smiled: “That’s for you guys to decide, not me. I’ve had so many obstacles throughout my career, I wouldn’t change anything. I just go about my business.”
The obstacles Trippier refers to are the struggles that he has faced during a club career that has taken him from Manchester City to St James’ Park via Barnsley, Burnley, Spurs and Atletico Madrid.
“I had to leave City because I didn’t play there but there is no shame in dropping down a league and playing in the Championship,” he says. “I played there for five years, building myself up. Then, when I first went to Spurs, I didn’t play and had to be patient. It’s about obstacles and how you deal with them. I’ve overcome a lot.”
Those experiences have shaped Trippier into a leader and it was no surprise he wore the armband when Harry Kane left the field before the end of the Iran game. In fact, he captained his country against Wales in 2020 and often skippers his club team.
It is a role 32-year-old Trippier relishes, explaining: “I’ve always been one of those types of players who is vocal on the pitch. And as I get older, I feel like I’ve got the responsibility as an older player to help the younger players as well.
“It’s always an honour to be captain but if I have the armband or not, it’s always an honour for club and country, I try to lead by example.”
And Trippier’s experience - he will win his 40th cap when he lines up against the Welsh - means he has not been fazed by the over-reaction to England’s disappointing draw with the United States.
He says: “I don’t think we were upset - we know we could have done better in that final third but you’ve got to give a lot of credit to the United States as well. They were a physical team, they were aggressive and a point in the end was a fair point.
“You see some of the results and you see big teams losing so I think the four points we have in our group is a good position that we are in. That’s why we are all calm about the position we are in.
“Of course, we need to be more clinical, we need to get more chances … but we can’t score six goals every game.” And even if they did - and even if he played another starring role - you suspect Trippier would never get the credit he deserves.
