The midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is now a crucial part of any success Argentina may have. The Liverpool player is crucial to his national team’s success and is an evitable part of Argentina’s squad.
Mac Allister surprisingly became a key man in the World Cup win last winter, despite being a Brighton player.
Ever since then, the 24-year-old has remained a regular starter, now amassing 19 caps. And speaking to ESPN FC about Argentina’s superb recent form, pundit Ale Moreno has hailed the role of unsung heroes such as Mac Allister.
“They are critical to their success,” Moreno says.
“Rodrigo De Paul is one of them, you can say even a guy like Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, that core group of midfield players. How tough these guys are, how much they work for the group and work for each other.
“There’s an element of toughness to Argentina which is really the reason as to why they end up winning the World Cup.
“Of course we look at Messi and he puts the final touch on it. He gives it a different look, he gives that magical touch. He just touches this team and they become something entirely different.
“However, why is he able to do that? Well, there is a groundwork that has been laid down by guys like Rodrigo De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, the list goes on and on. There’s a toughness to this team and that’s why they don’t lose games.”
Why Liverpool player is crucial for national team:
It has been quite the rise for Mac Allister with his nation. He did actually win his first caps back in 2019, but had to wait two-and-a-half years before his next call-up. Since January 2022 though, the former Boca Juniors midfielder has been a permanent one in Lionel Scaloni’s squads.
And ever since the opening games of the World Cup at the end of the same year, Mac Allister has been a very regular starter. As Moreno says, this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Given the way Scaloni has his team set up, he needs players willing to do the dirty work. As we’ve already seen during his time at Liverpool, Mac Allister falls into that category. Another category he falls into is one of incredibly versatile midfielders. He may not have been signed as a No.6, but that’s exactly what he’s seemingly being turned into.
Every time Mac Allister has been asked about this shift in position, his answers have been very revealing. It’s possible that the World Cup winner may not be enjoying his new role, but he’s never let that show. Instead, he’s spoken positively at every opportunity.
Follow us on twitter to get regular updates.
