Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals ultimate career ambition & drops major hint over future | OneFootball

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reiterated his desire to be the first right-back to win the Ballon d'Or, with his ultimate ambition in football to be remembered as the greatest player that position on the pitch has ever seen.

But in weighing up what he wants to achieve in his career, the England international gave a potentially telling hint about his immediate future as well.

Alexander-Arnold is fast heading towards the end of his Liverpool contract amid longstanding interest from Real Madrid. The latest reports on the situation suggest that a deal with the Spanish giants is already agreed, with his boyhood Reds failing to persuade him to remain at Anfield.

Presented with different career objectives in a video with Sky Sports, Alexander-Arnold quickly removed the card about becoming Liverpool captain from contention.

His reasoning was that the captaincy is not something he has the power to decide. But, by the same token, he has at least as much control over that, arguably more, as he does in the Ballon d'Or stakes.

"I would want to be Liverpool captain, but it's not my decision, so that can't really be in there," he said.

Asked to choose between winning a trophy with England or being presented with the Ballon d'Or, Alexander-Arnold opted for the latter – not the first time he has expressed his desire for world football's most prestigious individual award.

"That would be immense, winning a World Cup with England. That would change the game. [But], I'd say win a Ballon d'Or. I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it," he explained.

"Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can.

"I just want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to ever play football, if I'm honest. I know that there's been many out there, but I'm going to reach for the stars."

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has previously expressed concern that Alexander-Arnold's obsession with the Ballon d'Or is what has pushed him towards Real Madrid, feeling it presents him with a better chance than if he were to stay at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold went on to say that trophies, which he could equally win at Liverpool and Madrid, are not as important to him as fulfilling his individual potential and leaving a lasting legacy.

"The morning after you retire, you have to look yourself in the mirror and say I gave it everything I've got. It doesn't matter how many trophies or medals you've got, it matters about what you've given to the game and if you reach your full potential," he said.

"I've heard 'potential' being thrown around with my name since I was six. 'He's got the potential to be a first-team player, play for England, be a captain... potential, potential, potential'. If you know you've given it everything to maximise that potential and be the player that you believe you can be, one of the best ever, you’ll be happy. It doesn't matter how many trophies you win."