Lionel Messi’s Argentina team-mates have urged him to reverse his decision to retire from World Cup duty.
The 35-year-old star of his country’s triumph in the final against France in Qatar last month stated it was his last World Cup.
But Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and the rest of the squad still want him around when Argentina defend the trophy in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Advertisement
Mac Allister said: “We don’t want him to leave the national team. He said he was going to be his last World Cup but we don’t want that. We want him to stay with us. He knows it. So let’s see what happens.
“He sent a message to us yesterday, wishing us a very good year. He was very grateful to us. After the game we couldn’t speak too much because we wanted to celebrate.
“I think we still don’t realise what we achieved, but in the next five or ten years we will.”
Mac Allister played a key role in Messi’s crowning glory with the assist for Argentina’s memorable second goal against France, scored by Angel Di Maria, before they eventually won on penalties.
“He deserves it,” Mac Allister said. “It was the only trophy he was missing and now he has it. I’m really glad to be part of this, to help him and the team to get that trophy.
“I’m really happy for him, Di Maria as well, because they are two players who fought a lot in the last couple of years to get that trophy and to play for our country.”
Mac Allister has taken on board advice from Messi during Argentina’s crucial 2-0 win against Mexico in their second group game, which followed their shock opening 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia.
He said: “There was one moment against Mexico when Messi was not touching the ball as he wanted, so he was playing a bit deeper.
“When he went deeper he told me to go higher and receive the ball in the pocket. So he helped me to understand the game, to know where to receive the ball and we had a very good connection throughout the World Cup.”
Mac Allister returned to Brighton this morning to a hero’s welcome after the club gave him a fortnight off to take part in the post-final celebrations in Argentina and to spend time with his family.
The 24-year-old is available for tomorrow night’s game at Everton.
GO DEEPER
What we're hearing about Alexis Mac Allister's situation at Brighton
(Photo: Getty Images)
