England star says he would rather win a Ballon d’Or than lift the World Cup, as he puts his priority on individual awards and says ‘it doesn’t matter how many trophies you win’

An England international has admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or is a bigger goal for him than winning a trophy with his country.

England have not won major international silverware since 1966 and have finished runners-up in the last two European Championships.

And Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed that he is more interested in personal recognition than ending that wait.

When asked how he wanted to be viewed once he hangs up his boots, he told Sky Sports: ‘a legend of football, someone who changed the game. 

‘That’s a main saying that I have, ‘Don’t play the game, change the game’. I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to ever play football. 

‘I want to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.’

He added: ‘I’d say win a Ballon d’Or [over winning a World Cup]. Because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it.

‘It’s only after the morning after you retire that you’re able to look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave it everything I got’. 

‘It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you’ve got, it matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential.’

Real Madrid have reportedly stepped up their interest in the Liverpool man.

An injury to a key player means that Real may have to be heavily active in the transfer market in January.

Alexander-Arnold says a Ballon d’Or would mean more to him than winning the World Cup

There remains uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future at Liverpool.

The 25-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of the season and he has yet to commit to a new deal.