Trent Alexander-Arnold has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player that 'has ever played the game' after hailing the Argentine's legendary impact on football.

The Liverpool star is currently away on an extended summer break following England's Euro 2024 final heartbreak and will return at a later date for pre-season training.

However, he has still been offering his verdict on one of football's greatest debates when Alexander-Arnold was asked about the best player he has come up against in an interview with The Mirror.

The 25-year-old has come up against some modern day greats during his trophy-laden career at Anfield including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but reserved special praise for Messi.

Alexander-Arnold was at the centre of Messi's Champions League failure with Barcelona in 2019 that saw Liverpool produce a stunning 4-0 comeback to knock the Catalan giants out the competition.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player that 'has ever played the game'

Now he has given an insight into what it is like playing against the Argentina World Cup winning captain and placed him above Ronaldo as football's greatest.

'It has to be Messi for me. The best player I think that has ever played the game. I never watched Maradonna,' said Alexander-Arnold.

'To imagine anyone better than what I have been able to see, my brain doesn't comprehend it. There's no way anyone can be better than Messi. 

'There's just a different feeling playing against him than I've ever felt against anyone else, you are always on red alert when the ball is near him, it's very rare for a player to put that feeling into other players.

'Many, many aspects of the game he is probably the best at,' he added. 

Messi recently added another title to his trophy cabinet as he guided Argentina to a second consecutive Copa America title but suffered a serious ankle injury during the final. 

Despite his affinity towards Messi, Alexander-Arnold could soon find himself starring for a club where many believe Ronaldo is the top player in world football.

Real Madrid are interested in striking a potential deal for the Liverpool defender who could be swayed by the chance to link-up with his England team-mate and close friend Jude Bellingham.

Alecander-Arnold has a year remaining on his existing contract at Anfield and is yet to sign a new deal.