Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that the squad is fully committed to doing whatever is required to help Lionel Messi make the biggest impact possible at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mac Allister, along with fellow midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández, has been central to Argentina’s energetic and disciplined approach in midfield, providing defensive cover and winning back possession to free Messi from demanding off-the-ball duties.
The Liverpool star said the team’s responsibility is to understand Messi’s movements and ensure the captain can conserve his energy for the moments that matter most in attack.
“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” Mac Allister said.
“He may not have the legs of yesteryear and he now plays more in fits and starts, but the rest of the Argentina side are more than happy to do the dirty work and let him turn it on when he wants.”
Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, demonstrated his enduring quality by scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria. The feat drew him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star inspired Argentina to World Cup success four years ago and remains determined to represent his country on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina’s second group match against Austria, set to be played at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, could provide the perfect setting for Messi to move ahead of Klose.
