Playing alongside Lionel Messi remains a privilege that few footballers in history can claim. For Alexis Mac Allister it is not only an honor, it is also an education.
The Liverpool midfielder, who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside Messi, has given a fascinating insight into his relationship with the Argentina captain and their conversations about life at Anfield.
Mac Allister has developed into a calm, intelligent player in Arne Slot’s Liverpool midfield since joining from Brighton last summer. But when he joins the Argentina national team, he becomes one of many who look up to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who still commands huge respect in world football.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Mac Allister admitted that despite their connection, he is cautious about how often he reaches out to the Inter Miami forward.
“No, never. I don’t want to bother him,” he said when asked if he ever texted Messi. “He’s a nice guy when we go to the national team. He’s someone you can talk to and joke with. But I always say I’m quite shy, so I don’t want to bother him or things like that.”
For Mac Allister, who grew up idolizing Messi, that humility speaks volumes.
“For me it is a pleasure to play with him,” he continued. “He is the best player I have ever seen and I don’t think that will change. But yes, so happy that we won a World Cup together, that is not easy. But I really admire him, both on and off the field.”
Those words come with genuine affection. Mac Allister is not one for exaggerations, and he often speaks with a quiet respect that reflects his upbringing and family background in football. His father, Carlos Mac Allister, also represented Argentina, meaning Alexis grew up realizing the magnitude of wearing the famous shirt and sharing a dressing room with the likes of Messi.
Despite his self-confessed shyness, Mac Allister has still had the opportunity to chat with Messi off-camera, including about Liverpool.
“Yes, we had a conversation about Liverpool, about some players,” he revealed. “He is someone who watches a lot of football, and even his friend.” [Luis] Suarez was here, so yes, of course, he knows about it and we had a few conversations.
It is no surprise that Liverpool is a club that Messi knows well. His encounters with the Reds in European competition were among the most dramatic of his illustrious career.
Messi’s first taste of Anfield’s intensity came in 2007, when Barcelona faced Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Catalans lost 2-1 at Camp Nou in the first leg but made progress on away goals after winning 1-0 on Merseyside. Twelve years later the story changed dramatically.
In 2019, Messi produced a masterclass in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, scoring twice as Barcelona won 3-0 at Camp Nou. Yet that draw will forever be remembered for Liverpool’s astonishing comeback, a 4-0 win at Anfield, one of the most famous nights in the club’s modern history.
It’s easy to understand why those memories come flooding back when Messi and Mac Allister talk about Liverpool. The Argentine legend, who now plays in the MLS with Inter Miami, has long been an admirer of football cultures built on the passion, unity and intensity traits that have defined Liverpool under both Jurgen Klopp and, now, Arne Slot.
Mac Allister’s respect for Messi, meanwhile, remains unwavering. Messi still sets the tone around Argentina’s training camp. Younger players often talk about how the veteran forward balances professionalism and humility, a combination that leaves a lasting impression.
For Mac Allister, who continues to become one of Liverpool’s most influential midfielders, that example carries weight. He has spoken before about the importance of surrounding yourself with great professionals and few fit that description better than Messi.
Their conversations about Liverpool may be light-hearted, but they also underline the reach of the club and its players. Messi may never have played for Liverpool, but he has had some of their most unforgettable nights.
For the 25-year-old, the relationship goes beyond admiration. It’s about learning from the very best and taking those lessons back to Merseyside.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen,” Mac Allister said simply. “And I really admire him, not only for what he does on the field, but also for the person he is.”
At the age of 25, Mac Allister is entering the first years of his career. After sharing the stage with Messi on the biggest night in Argentine football history, he is now helping to shape Liverpool’s next chapter. And somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic, it seems safe to assume, Lionel Messi is still keeping an eye on how he and his club are doing.
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