Brazil legend Cafu names Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of three best right-backs in the world
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is one of the three best right-backs in the world, according to Brazil legend Cafu.
The 52-year-old played in three World Cup finals in a row on the right of a back four between 1994 and 2002, so is well qualified to judge today’s very best.
And Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold cuts the mustard for Cafu… when the Selecao legend can remember him.
Asked about his favourite right-backs by Marca in 2021, he said: “I really like Achraf (Hakimi), from PSG, and (Dani) Carvajal. Dani seems very good to me.”
Further quizzed on why he likes Carvajal, Cafu added: “Because he has personality.
“He is always at the forefront of attack, he defends very well, he attacks very well and, then, he is a boy who, taking away from this last period of injuries, has always maintained a regularity.
“Oh, and I’m not forgetting Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, who is also very good.”
On how the position itself has developed over the years, Cafu added: “I really like that the full-backs progress, even without the ball.
“Some time ago there were no full-backs that reached the bottom line and now there are, and of quality, that is, they arrive and put a good centre in the area at the right place.
“It is a very tiring function, because they have to handle the whole band, but very showy and increasingly important.”
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Cafu was also asked about reports that Neymar was planning to retire from international duty aged 30 after last year’s World Cup.
He said: “In the event that this occurs, it would be his decision and it should be respected.
“If after the World Cup in Qatar they think they should retire, Brazil would lose a crack.
“It would be a shame because he is very young and a reference in world football. I think he still has a lot of play.”