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Alexis Mac Allister has a daily routine that many past and present football players can only dream of. It serves as a constant reminder of his ultimate achievement in the sport. “I make sure to look at it every single day,” he stated.
His World Cup champion’s medal, referred to as “it”.
The Argentinian player is getting ready for his first final since the memorable World Cup final. He is known for his intelligence on the field and is currently envisioning a new project. “I hope to eventually have a small museum at my house, a room where I can display everything,” he revealed. “I already have a replica of the World Cup, the medal, and a few other trophies – they are all safely stored for now. My goal is to have a dedicated space for them where I can always admire them.”
After Mac Allister’s time is up, the museum may require significant expansion. “The World Cup has made me realize my desire to win more trophies,” he stated. The Carabao Cup could potentially be the first of four medals he earns during his first season with Liverpool. He made history as the first Brighton player to win the World Cup, but his most recent club honor was the 2020 Primera Division, during his loan spell at Boca Juniors. Now, he is eager for further achievements.
Mac Allister won football’s greatest prize when he helped Argentina defeat France in Qatar
At the Doha event 14 months prior, most attention was on a different Argentinian player, the infamous No 10, and if Lionel Messi would finally achieve the ultimate success in his career by winning the coveted prize that had eluded him. However, Mac Allister’s story was a much more unique and unexpected one. Despite initially being left out of the team, he surprised everyone by scoring his first international goal during the group stages and ultimately winning the World Cup at the young age of 23, with only 14 appearances for his country.
Due to a series of injuries, Liverpool may have to play with less experienced players against Chelsea at Wembley. However, Mac Allister believes this may not be an issue, as he himself has proven during the World Cup that inexperienced players can perform well in a final. He humbly mentioned that he had even provided an assist for Angel Di Maria to score and help Argentina secure a victory against France.
If Argentina’s advancement brought a boost to reputations, some of the players supporting Messi were also lifted to higher levels. Mac Allister was quickly signed by Jurgen Klopp for a low price of £35m. He stated, “Liverpool was my only opportunity.” Chelsea also acquired two of his teammates, but at a much higher cost: Enzo Fernandez for £107m and Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, seven months later.
Liverpool offered £111 million for the Ecuadorian player, hoping to bring him back together with the Albion team. However, Caicedo ultimately decided to join Chelsea. “Perhaps he upset me a bit with his actions over the summer,” Mac Allister said with a smile. “But everything is okay now.”
Both Mac Allister and Caicedo departed from Brighton during the summer and will now compete against each other in the Carabao Cup final.
Fernandez and Mac Allister were both standout players for Argentina, but Liverpool managed to secure a £35m deal for the 25-year-old, making it a great bargain.
Without a doubt, he has minimal justifications to lament his personal choice. “It’s insane because from day one here, I’ve had a connection that I haven’t experienced at any other club,” he expressed. “Hopefully, I’ll be here for many years.” He made a confident first appearance against Chelsea in August. Although he was sent off during his first game at Anfield, the red card was later withdrawn. He has been a refined presence in Liverpool’s midfield, often playing a defensive role, but has now returned to his preferred position with a more attacking focus. His manager is an admirer; Klopp has referred to him as “a football doctor”.
Last Saturday, Mac Allister scored during the victory against Brentford and also provided two assists in just three minutes during the comeback against Luton on Wednesday. His standout performance in a Liverpool jersey, however, was against Chelsea in January’s 4-1 win. He outshone the well-known double act, who cost a whopping £222m. “While Enzo and Caicedo are excellent players, we also have our own players,” he remarked, looking ahead to a potential rematch.
This season, he experienced a unique reunion. In October, he had the opportunity to play against his brother Kevin when Liverpool welcomed Union Saint-Gilloise. Another one of their siblings, Francis, is a player for Rosario Central. With three sons to support, their parents rarely have a quiet home. Silvina Mac Allister will also be present at Wembley on Sunday. “This time, it’s for our mother,” said Alexis. “Hopefully, it will be a memorable day for her too.”
Mac Allister was part of Liverpool’s midfield revolution and is now back in a preferred role
Carlos Mac Allister is often seen at Liverpool games, drawing from his time as a player for Argentina and a former teammate of Diego Maradona to provide his analysis. “He always has something to say,” Mac Allister stated. “It’s not always positive, but it’s helpful for me and my brothers because I appreciate honesty.”
The younger generation is looking forward to hearing stories about Maradona and Messi from their family. They also hope that the museum he plans to create will bring back memories of his success at Wembley and in Qatar.
Source: independent.co.uk
