When FourFourTwo told Trent Alexander-Arnold that he was only the third full-back ever to become the main cover star for our magazine, after Stuart Pearce and Paolo Maldini, he looked surprised. During the three decades since FFT first launched, attacking players have often grabbed the attention – and the covers.
But times are changing – in this issue, we celebrate the best full-backs that football has produced. We’ve chosen our own number one (find out who from page 42), and while we were in the company of one of the best in the world right now, we couldn’t pass up the chance to ask his opinion. Put on the spot, Trent opted for Roberto Carlos.
What was abundantly clear from the time that FFT spent with Alexander-Arnold was that he wants to be considered best in class during his career, and is already thinking about his legacy in the game.