Football legend Cafu says Trent Alexander-Arnold reminds him of himself and has a "Brazilian instinct".
The Liverpool defender has been in dazzling form this season as the Reds charge to a likely Premier League title triumph.
He has already laid on 10 assists and scored two goals in 26 league appearances.
And two-time World Cup winner Cafu says the Scouse youngster is one of the top players on the planet.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "I think Alexander-Arnold is one of the best in the world, no doubt about it.
“He’s a great player – and I would say he has the same characteristics as I did.
“He has got big potential. He is strong and skillful, he really takes the game forward and he’s a player who sets up goals for Liverpool.
“So, yes, I can see lots of similarities between him and me when I was playing. I would say he’s got a Brazilian instinct in the way he plays."
Cafu offered some words of advice for fellow right-back Alexander-Arnold as he backed him to break the Ballon d’Or mould.
He added: "My advice for him is simple: just keep doing what you have been doing for the last few years.
“Alexander-Arnold shouldn’t change his way of playing. Even if he makes mistakes, he should carry on doing what he’s doing.
“I think he has what it takes to become a Ballon d’Or winner.
“We have to change this paradigm where the Ballon d’Or is only won by attackers and strikers.
“People have to see that defenders are just as important as attackers.”
And the Brazil superstar gave his take on the debate on whether Alexander-Arnold, 21, should eventually move into midfield.
Cafu said: "It is Alexander-Arnold’s natural instinct to attack – and it is also the way Liverpool play.
“This is one of his characteristics and he must not lose that. The defensive side depends a lot on the way the team play.
“Liverpool are a team that play on the attack, so he’s extremely important for their style.
“The role of full-back suits him better and I think he now has to get even better at doing what he already knows how to do.
“He has to play like one of the great full-backs, adapt to the position, become the best full-back in the world and then maybe there could be some sort of adaptation in terms of midfield."
