Trent Alexander-Arnold makes shocking Ballon d'Or claim

Trent Alexander-Arnold has huge expectations for the remainder of his career and wants to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d'Or.

The Liverpool star has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024/25 campaign under new manager Arne Slot - registering two assists from the backline in 11 appearances. Alexander-Arnold first made his Anfield debut in October 2016, thriving under legendary boss Jurgen Klopp as a right-back.

The England international's array of honours since graduating from the academy at Anfield is sensational - lifting the Premier League trophy with Liverpool in 2019/20 and winning the Champions League title the season prior.

Despite his continued success, there is one accolade that Alexander-Arnold has not yet achieved - the Ballon d'Or.

"I want to be the first full-back to ever do it," he said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I believe I can."

When asked how he hopes to be remembered when his career ends, Alexander-Arnold gave a simple answer. "A legend of football, someone who changed the game. That's a main saying that I have, 'Don't play the game, change the game'.

"I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to ever play football. I want to reach for the stars and that's where I believe my ceiling can go.

"It's only after 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."

The 2023/24 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on 28 October, with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Manchester City's Rodri among the favourites to win.

Rodri's position as a defensive midfielder makes him less likely to pick up the trophy, but Alexander-Arnold is refusing to let his defensive role stop him from achieving greatness.

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