Harry Diamond
Trent Alexander-Arnold is ‘one of the best in the world’ and has been backed as a future winner of the Ballon d’Or by Brazil legend Cafu.
The Liverpool star has developed into one of the finest attacking full-backs in world football, playing a crucial role in the club’s recent successes including lifting the Champions League last season.
This season the right-back has continued to go from strength to strength, starring during the Reds’ record-breaking start to the Premier League season and providing ten assists for the campaign so far.
Alexander-Arnold’s performances have not gone unnoticed by former full-back and World Cup-winning captain Cafu, who sees similarities between his own game and the 21-year-old who he believes is already one of the best players in world football.
“I think Alexander-Arnold is one of the best in the world, no doubt about it,” Cafu told the Mirror.
“He’s a great player – and I would say he has the same characteristics as I did.
“He has got big potential. He is strong and skilful, he really takes the game forward and he’s a player who sets up goals for Liverpool.
“So, yes, I can see lots of similarities between him and me when I was playing.
“I would say he’s got a Brazilian instinct in the way he plays.
“My advice for him is simple: just keep doing what you have been doing for the last few years.
“Alexander-Arnold shouldn’t change his way of playing. Even if he makes mistakes, he should carry on doing what he’s doing.
“I think he has what it takes to become a Ballon d’Or winner.
“We have to change this paradigm where the Ballon d’Or is only won by attackers and strikers.
“People have to see that defenders are just as important as attackers.”
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