Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold to build home football museum with special Lionel Messi plan lined up
Liverpool superstar and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has set out plans to build a "home football museum", which will include Lionel Messi and Barcelona. Notably, the two players faced each other in the UEFA Champions League semifinals in 2019, when Alexander-Arnold helped the Reds to a comeback win over Barca.
The Blaugrana had won the first leg 3-0 at Camp Nou, and against all odds, the Merseyside giants beat them 4-0 at Anfield to enter the final that year. After getting past Lionel Messi's Barcelona, Liverpool went on to win the Champions League, beating Tottenham 2-0 on June 1, 2019.
Notably for Alexander-Arnold, he got the opportunity to swap shirts with Messi in that clash. He revealed that the legend's Barcelona jersey would be included in his "home football museum" after he retires. Speaking with Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, Alexander-Arnold said (via This is Anfield):
“For sure [I planned to ask for] the Messi one. Because I thought I don’t know if I’ll ever play against him again and I think for me, the best player that’s ever played, so the opportunity couldn’t pass me by. [When I swapped with] Neymar [it] was kind of just in the moment. I didn’t even asked him, I asked Alisson to ask him for me.”
The Liverpool full-back further revealed that, while he did not have Lionel Messi's shirt hanging on the wall, he had framed it and had big plans:
“Nah, I’ve got it framed to be fair. I’ve got it framed with my shirt from the game. Yeah, it’s a special game to remember but no, it’s not hanging up anywhere. A lot of the shirts that I’ve got are all kind of kept away. I’ll wait ’til I hang my boots up then make a proper home football museum!”
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks far from retirement, though. The Liverpool vice-captain is only 26 years old and could potentially play for another decade.
Liverpool could have the next Lionel Messi, with Ben Doak shining
The Reds have an exciting young talent in Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. The 19-year-old has been unable to find space in the first team, as he currently shares the same position with club legend Mohamed Salah.
However, this has not quelled comments from fans comparing him to Lionel Messi (via AnfieldWatch). He has broken into the Scotland national team this season, starting in their recent matches against Portugal and Croatia.
At club level, he has scored a goal and provided three assists in 10 games for Middlesbrough in the Championship this season. He has also played 10 first-team games for Liverpool, and could potentially take up Mohamed Salah's mantle when the legendary Egyptian leaves the club.