Alexis Mac Allister shares unique perspective on what Lionel Messi is doing at World Cup
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Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has shared his unique perspective on what Lionel Messi is doing at the World Cup, with the Argentine already having scored five goalsLionel Messi and Alexis Mac Allister celebrate during the World Cup game between Argentina and Austria.(Image: Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images)Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister quietly impressed for Argentina against Austria — but Lionel Messi was the man who took all the headlines with his record-breaking goals.Mac Allister, though, is in the privileged position of being a part of the team that is built around Messi, whose brace on Monday saw him overtake Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer."Seeing him (Messi) on the field, playing at the same level, is something entirely different," Mac Allister said post-match. I'm happy for him enjoying it on the field and scoring his goals."Mac Allister’s showing against Austria was hailed by the national media in South America.
They described his performance as a "dazzling" display, which wasn't always the case for Liverpool last season.Leading Argentine outlet TycSports gave Mac Allister a seven out of 10 in its player ratings for the Austria fixture."A good match, this time playing as a central midfielder, more focused on a fixed position than rotating between attacking and defensive duties," it said.Jurgen Klopp and Lionel Messi shake hands after the World Cup game between Argentina and Austria in Dallas.(Image: Maja Hitij - FIFA via Getty Images)"Argentina needed him there today, and Colo responded very well, especially in his understanding with Enzo [Fernandes]."It's also important to understand that some flashes of brilliance can go unnoticed when the required roles aren't those that offer the most dazzling performances."For that outlet, only Messi (nine out of 10) and Lisandro Martinez (eight out of 10) were afforded better player ratings than Mac Allister.Meanwhile, Goal gave him seven out of 10, even if it didn't get quite so carried away with its verdict on the game.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign."Stationed at the base of the Argentine midfield, Mac Allister did a good job protecting his back four and moving the ball forward, even if he did make a couple of rash challenges," it said.Finally, Sports Illustrated awarded him a 7.4 rating, while noting the difference after the criticism he received while playing for the Reds, where he has lacked energy and mobility."He seems reinvigorated after a tough season at Liverpool," it claimed.
Last season, he toiled. His quality, though, as he has shown a couple of times for his country now, is unquestionable.