Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy featured on TalkSport where he responded to Cafu’s comments about Trent Alexander-Arnold
The young Reds full-back’s status has elevated since the start of last season. Alexander-Arnold is now regarded among the best right-backs in world football, and Brazil icon Cafu claimed that he has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or one day. (Fifa.com)
That is huge praise for the Liverpool man coming from arguably the best right-back to ever come out of Brazil. His comments are held in high regard by almost everyone in world football, but Danny Murphy chose to disagree.
He said: “I think he (Cafu) could’ve praised him without talking about the Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or is generally for the goalscorers and the superstars isn’t it? But he is a wonderful, wonderful talent.”
“He won’t win the Ballon d’Or. I think even in a midfield position it’s difficult. Can he score goals from midfield and bend in free-kicks and open defences with his passing? Yes.”
“But will that ever be enough to win a Ballon d’Or? (Luka) Modric won one, didn’t he?” Yeah, it’s possible, you never say never, but I don’t think so,” he said.
Murphy does have a point but football is changing. Modric winning the award was a very good example while Virgil van Dijk coming close last time shows that it is more than possible.
Alexander-Arnold, however, shouldn’t be too worried about the Ballon d’Or. If he continues to play like he has been, he will become the best right-back in world football, and his influence in the Liverpool side will help them win many more trophies in the coming years.
With football set to return in about a week’s time, Alexander-Arnold and all the Liverpool boys will be raring to go and get the job done.
Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League crown already but as we have seen many times before, it’s not over until it’s over.
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