Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Let’s change Ballon d’Or so Trent can win it... and not Messi!
BRAZIL LEGEND CAFU
BRAZIL legend Cafu recognises a kindred spirit in Liverpool’s rampaging right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Two-time World Cup winner Cafu, who lifted domestic titles in his homeland as well as the Champions League during a glittering career, says the Scouser, 21, plays the game with a Samba style.
He already rates Alexander-Arnold as one of the best players in the world.
And he believes the England international can go on to be a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Cafu said: “I think Alexander-Arnold is one of the best in the world, no doubt about it.
“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.”
Alexander-Arnold has become king of the assists at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp aims to clinch the club’s first Premier League title after lifting the Champions League last year.
He has set up 28 goals in the last two seasons – and it has been suggested that he can be.” Cafu is a big any defensive flaws in his admirer of the job Klopp game could be overcome by has done at Anfield. pushing him into a midfield The Brazilian will be in role. Berlin tomorrow for the Cafu is not so sure. 20th Laureus Awards in his He said: “It is AlexanderArnold’s role as a Laureus Academy natural instinct to member, when the Reds attack – and it is also the will be in the running to way Liverpool play. win the Team of the Year
“This is one of his prize. characteristics and he must Liverpool have also been not lose that. The defensive nominated for the side depends a lot on the Comeback of the Year for way the team their thrilling 4-3 play. aggregate victory over
“Liverpool Barcelona in the are a team semi-finals of the that play on Champions League. the attack, so And Cafu said: he’s extremely “Liverpool had an important for incredible season their style. last year and they
“The role are repeating that of full-back this time. I think suits him better and I think they deserve their he now has to get even nomination. better at doing what he “The comeback already knows how to do. against Barca was
“He has to play like one of unbelievable and the great full-backs, adapt Klopp deserves 100 to the position, become the per cent of the best full-back in the world credit for how and then maybe there could the team be some sort of adaptation has now in terms of midfield. grown
“But, for now at least, he so has to be the best full-back well.”
I can see lots of similarities between how Trent and I used to play... with Brazilian instinct in him