Argentina's standout player Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that emulating Diego Maradona’s brilliance is nearly an unattainable task, save for Lionel Messi.
The Liverpool midfielder shared these thoughts in anticipation of the eagerly awaited FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown between Argentina and England.
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Mac Allister, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona, has continually expressed profound admiration for Messi, often emphasizing that sharing the field with the Inter Miami star feels like engaging in an entirely different game.
“It’s challenging to take inspiration from what Diego accomplished; replicating his feats on the field is nearly impossible. Only Leo can pull that off.
“Nowadays, numerous clips circulate on social media, showcasing Diego and the ’86 match. Watching and reminiscing about those moments aids us. For us, Diego represents a significant symbol for our nation. We hope to achieve something akin to what they did.
“Having that experience is advantageous, but it doesn’t ensure anything. They possess players of exceptional quality who have also encountered similar situations with their clubs in major matches.”
Meanwhile, Mac Allister noted that his experience in the Premier League with Liverpool might provide an edge when facing England on Wednesday.
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“I compete against them every week, and it’s evident that they are physically very robust.
However, in this World Cup, whether it's due to fatigue or another factor, they seem to lack the pace that typically defines the Premier League. I’m not sure if it’s the heat or something else contributing to that.
“They are undoubtedly a strong team, and we hold them in high regard. Yet, we have faith in our approach, and that won’t change.”
