Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has openly discussed his chances of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or and stated the difficulties that lie ahead of him for swooping in for the award.
Alisson became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper at the time last season when Liverpool paid Serie A giants AS Roma a staggering £60 million to secure his services. Since then, the shot-stopper has played a massive role in the success for Liverpool by helping them win the Champions League title in the summer.
The 26-year-old also kept the most number of clean sheets in the Premier League and won the Golden Glove keeping the meanest defense in England’s top flight as Liverpool finished second on the table. Alisson also won the Copa America with his national side Brazil conceding just one goal in the tournament.
Overall, Alisson has had a spectacular season and that has shed light on his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or which has been shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the past decade or so. However, Alisson has spoken on his chances of winning the award and said that it will be more difficult because he is a goalkeeper, “I’ve read about it and it fills me with pride, but I know it’s not easy. It’s even more difficult as a goalkeeper. But I also have a calm conscience. This means that I’m doing well in my work and people value it.”
He then went on to explain, “Goalkeepers are getting more involved in matches. You have to be good with your hands, of course and know how to play with your feet because it’s a fundamental aspect to start moves. Furthermore, goalkeepers have a unique viewpoint of the whole pitch and it’s important to organize your teammates. The difference is that goalkeepers don’t score goals. They stop them [laughs]. And people like to celebrate goals. It’s the most important moment in football and I think that’s why strikers are valued a bit more. It’s natural, but things are changing bit by bit.”
