Trent Alexander Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk
Former Liverpool defender Michael Owen has shared his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s aspirations to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or. Owen, who himself won the prestigious award in 2001, reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing the Liverpool right-back as he aims for global recognition.
Michael Owen said: “I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. Trent was already in a great place, so it wasn’t a move to enhance his chances of winning anything. It was more of a change of life and a new opportunity. He was already winning plenty at Liverpool. That’s just the way it goes. So you’ve got to be the best player in that team in that particular year. Whether or not Trent can do that playing at right-back? It would be some achievement. It would be pretty hard to do. But if anyone can, I suppose he can.”
Owen’s comments highlight the difficulty of achieving such an accolade as a full-back, a position historically overlooked for individual awards. The former Liverpool star acknowledged that while Alexander-Arnold is already successful at Liverpool, the challenge lies in being the standout player in a team during a particular year. This is especially challenging for a defender, as the Ballon d’Or has traditionally been dominated by attacking players.
Michael Owen further commented: “I didn’t like it. I understand it, of course. We understand it because we live it, and we’ve lived it all our life, and we’re in and around football. But fans will never get it because they’ve got a badge there, and until the day they die, they will always support that badge. And no matter what the club do, they might do wrong. And a lot of clubs do do wrong to their players and things like that. They will never have a crossword against their club. Now, it’s our career, it’s our life.”
Owen’s insights also touch upon the complex relationship between players and clubs, emphasizing the personal and professional dynamics that players navigate throughout their careers. His reflections offer a glimpse into the mindset of a player who has experienced both club loyalty and the pursuit of individual glory.
In the broader context, Alexander-Arnold’s ambition to win the Ballon d’Or is a testament to his talent and determination. While the road to such recognition is fraught with challenges, his performances at Liverpool have already marked him as one of the top full-backs in the world. Whether he can translate this into individual accolades remains to be seen, but his journey will undoubtedly be one to watch.
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