Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold recently made a bold promise: he aims to win the Ballon d’Or one day. The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place in Paris on Monday, with Manchester City’s Rodri taking the prize.
Between 2008 and 2021, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the award. Amazingly, they won all but one. This made it nearly impossible for other talented players to break through. Luka Modric is the only player to disrupt this monopoly, winning in 2018. Robert Lewandowski also had a strong case in 2020, but the ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19.
The Ballon d’Or has not been kind to defenders in its history. Since its inception in 1956, only three defenders have won it: Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer and Fabio Cannavaro. No full-back has ever claimed the award. Alexander-Arnold would make history as the first to do so in men’s and women’s soccer.
The Ballon d’Or dream
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Alexander-Arnold shared his ambitions: “I want that legacy of being probably the greatest right-back to ever play football. I know there have been many, but I’ve got to reach for the stars.” He also expressed his Ballon d’Or dreams: “I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. Only after you retire can you say, ‘I gave it everything I’ve got.’ Some may call me deluded, but I believe I can.”
The Liverpool defender symbolizes the club’s recent golden era. His blend of defensive skill and playmaking has set him apart since his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp in 2016. Alexander-Arnold has led a trend of inverting full-backs who operate in midfield. This approach has helped Liverpool overload central creativity and quality in wide positions. He is known for his set-piece delivery and improved one-on-one duels, making him a dual threat on the field.
Challenges ahead
Alexander-Arnold faces barriers that go beyond his talent. In 2019, teammate Virgil van Dijk had a near-flawless…
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Author : Abdullah Mamaniyat
Publish date : 2024-10-29 14:02:25
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