On Instagram, Alexis Mac Allister shared a message with his followers and detractors alike. The Liverpool midfielder noted that the heavy criticism Argentina faced during the tournament only made them feel prouder to represent their nation.

“Thanks as well to everyone abroad who mocks us or takes joy in our heartbreak,” Mac Allister wrote on Instagram. “Unintentionally, you just make us prouder to be Argentinian every single day.”

Mac Allister didn’t forget his supporters

A few hours after his father cleared the air regarding Lionel Messi’s pre-match speech, Alexis himself took to social media to share his thoughts. The midfielder expressed gratitude to the team’s supporters, insisting that this is far from the end for La Albiceleste.

“We were so close… that’s why it hurts so much. But no one can ever take away everything we experienced during this World Cup. What you made us feel was extraordinary. We had to suffer, we faced adversity, but we pulled through TOGETHER. Please, let’s never forget this: TOGETHER we are stronger than anyone,” he added. “Thank you to every Argentine for every message of love and support. You have no idea how important you are on this journey.”

Argentina played its worst match of the 2026 World Cup at the worst possible moment. Without a single shot on target, La Albiceleste was thoroughly outplayed by Spain, though the two sides could clash again soon in the Finalissima.

Argentina faces an uncertain future

Several of Argentina’s star players are not expected to feature in the 2030 World Cup. While Alexis Mac Allister is not among them, other core squad members are, leaving the team’s future looking complex.

Emiliano Martínez is one such veteran. The goalkeeper left his international future up in the air with a cryptic social media post, and several other La Albiceleste stars are expected to weigh in on their futures following the painful loss to Spain.

“For some journalists, it’s hard to understand that sometimes, after a defeat, the only explanation is that the other team simply played better than you,” Carlos Mac Allister said in an interview with Radio La Red. “You end up clinging to something else, and that’s what gets amplified. Yesterday I asked Alexis if anything had happened because I started having doubts myself. If I, knowing that my son would have told me immediately if something had happened, still had doubts, imagine everyone else.”

Carlos Mac Allister explained that he spoke directly with the Argentina midfielder after seeing the rumors online and revealed that Messi’s message before the final was focused only on soccer concepts and the team’s approach against Spain.

What did Lionel Messi say before Argentina’s World Cup final?

According to Carlos Mac Allister, Messi’s speech wasn’t related to any internal issue or controversy, but rather about how Argentina wanted to play against Spain in the biggest match of the tournament.

“He told me they talked about going out and playing soccer—playing, passing, combining, and not just sending the ball long. That’s what they meant. Then all these doubts started because of that post, and a lot of people wrote to me asking about it,” Mac Allister explained.

Carlos Mac Allister backs Spain after World Cup final victory

Beyond addressing the rumors surrounding Messi’s speech, Carlos Mac Allister emphasized that Argentina’s defeat was determined by Spain’s performance during the match rather than anything that happened before kickoff. “Everyone knows we played against Spain, and they were the better team,” he said.

Messi and La Albiceleste fell short of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. For Argentina, the focus now shifts toward the next international cycle as the team regroups and looks ahead to what comes next.

Argentina and Spain’s head-to-head record at FIFA World Cups gives La Albiceleste the edge, as they’ve won the lone meeting between the two nations. Still, Spain and Argentina have faced each other several times across all competitions.

The last time Messi’s Argentina played Spain was in 2018. However, the two countries have met once since then—none other than at the 2020 Olympics, which were played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Déjà vu from 2020 Olympics

Although the Olympics don’t allow countries to send their senior national teams, there were several youngsters on Spain’s and Argentina’s 2020 Olympic squads who are also part of the 2026 World Cup rosters. Many of them are now lynchpins for La Roja and La Albiceleste.

When Argentina and Spain met in the group stage of the 2020 Olympics, La Roja’s starting XI featured Unai Simon, Marc Cucurella, Eric Garcia, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Dani Olmo. All of them are now crucial members of the squad that reached the 2026 World Cup final. Moreover, the mastermind behind the team was none other than Luis de la Fuente, who would later earn a promotion to the senior national team, and the rest is history.

Argentina’s starting XI included both Facundo Medina and Alexis Mac Allister, while Thiago Almada came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining. Julian Alvarez could’ve been part of the team, but his club didn’t release him to join the U-23 national team. In the end, Argentina and Spain played to a 1-1 draw, with goals from Mikel Merino and Tomas Belmonte.

What happened after 2020 Olympics game?

The result eliminated Argentina in the group stage, while Spain went on to reach the final, where they fell 2-1 to Brazil in extra time. Brazil’s squad featured the likes of Dani Alves (one of the three overage players allowed on the roster), Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Antony, Matheus Cunha, and Richarlison.

Five years later, Spain and Argentina meet again. This time, with Messi, Yamal—who was only 14 during the 2020 Olympics—and both nations’ crème de la crème squads. History often has a way of repeating itself, and there will be plenty of familiar faces when Argentina and Spain take the field once again, this time with soccer’s most coveted trophy on the line.

He admitted that Spain arrive at the 2026 Finalissima in better form. The Liverpool midfielder praised the level of the European champions and anticipated a “complicated” match. Speaking with streamers Agusneta and Teo D’Elia, the former Boca Juniors player offered an honest assessment of both national teams. “They have very good players, they are in a very good moment and the Finalissima is going to be complicated. We are confident, we are moving forward,” he said.

Mac Allister added that Spain are going through a strong stretch and placed them among the best national teams in the world, alongside France. “Today I see Spain above us,” the midfielder stated. “There is a lot of rivalry with the Spanish. It will be nice to return to Qatar.”

Beyond that match in Doha, Mac Allister also spoke about the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will attempt to defend the title they won in 2022. “Another World Cup is coming. We are eager. There is excitement, as always, because we are Argentina,” he said. “I think France and Spain are the two best, although we are there as well,” he added, recognizing the level of the world runners-up.

What is next for Argentina

On March 27 at Lusail Stadium, Argentina will face Spain, the reigning European champions. The matchup revives the spirit of the Finalissima that Argentina, led by Lionel Scaloni, won in 2022 against Italy at Wembley Stadium, a defining night for Argentina.

With both national teams among the elite in world soccer, this new edition promises a high-level showdown. Argentina will look to reaffirm their status against Spain, who, according to Mac Allister, enter the match one step ahead.

In addition to serving as a preview of what could unfold at the World Cup, the clash highlights two perspectives. Spain feature a hungry generation seeking to repeat their 2010 triumph, led by young Lamine Yamal, while Argentina aim to defend their crown and deliver another moment of joy not only to their country, but also to their legend, Lionel Messi.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Mac Allister expressed both joy and confidence in his current form, stating, “I think I’m in the best moment of my career.” When asked about the greatest player in history, the World Cup winner didn’t hesitate in his response.

The Liverpool midfielder once again paid tribute to Lionel Messi, declaring the Argentine captain as the greatest of all time. “Leo is the best in history. I grew up watching him play, and for me, he’s the greatest,” said the former Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors star. Díaz, seated alongside him, nodded in agreement — echoing the same sentiment.

Mac Allister also acknowledged the generational debate that surrounds the GOAT conversation. “People who experienced Maradona live hold a very special place for him and think he was the best ever, too. So, it’s a complicated discussion,” he said with a smile.

Díaz names his Colombian idols, praises Messi

During the same interview, Luis Díaz also shared some of his personal soccer idols from Colombia, highlighting national legends who once played alongside him. “Falcao is one of the best I’ve seen, and I was lucky to have him as a teammate. Valderrama is another, though I didn’t watch him much growing up. I’d say those two, plus James [Rodríguez],” Díaz said.

Before naming Messi as the best soccer player in South America — and in history — Díaz joked about his own candidacy. “Best in South America? No question — it’s me,” he said, laughing, as Mac Allister joined in. “But seriously, for me, it’s Messi. Everything he’s accomplished… he was an inspiration when I was a kid.”

Mac Allister didn’t expect title to come so easily

Despite Liverpool’s dominant finish to the domestic season, Mac Allister admitted he didn’t anticipate such a smooth path to the title under new head coach Arne Slot. “I didn’t have the feeling that we’d win the league as comfortably as we did,” he said. “We’re in a process that’s just beginning.” Liverpool ultimately sealed the championship with a resounding 5–1 victory over Tottenham — a match that included a goal from Mac Allister himself.

The lifelong rivals are far away from Arsenal and Manchester City, who are involved in an exciting title race in the final weeks of the Premier League campaign. But it looks like they’ll have to outbid the one another to get one of their targets.

Both the Red Devils and the Reds are believed to have strong interest in an Argentine World Cup champion at Qatar 2022 who is set to leave his club at the end of the season.

Report: Man Utd, Liverpool set to offer for Alexis Mac Allister

According to Fabrizio Romano, Alexis Mac Allister and his camp consider a summer move from Brighton done. The midfielder’s stock has significantly increased since his brilliantWorld Cup performance, but he accepted to wait until June to play elsewhere.

The transfer market expert claims Mac Allister’s agents will start talks with Manchester United and Liverpool soon, as the end of the season is looming around. At 24, the Argentine player looks ready for a bigger challenge.

Mac Allister is under contract with Brighton until 2025, so even if the club is ready to let him go, his asking price will probably be high. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is €42 million.

According to The Sun, AlexisMac Allister had told Messi during one of Argentina’s training camps that he did not like to be called “ginger”. “Ginger” or “Colorado” in Argentina is referred to those who have reddish hair and there is an urban legend that people with red hair carry with them bad luck in Argentina.

“I remember everyone called me ‘Colo’, which is ginger in Argentina. I don’t like it much and he told the team-mates that. (Messi) said, ‘He doesn’t like to be called Colo, so don’t call him that!” Mac Allister also went on to mention his admiration for Lionel Messi.

Alexis Mac Allister on Lionel Messi

“I trained with (Messi) when I was in the Argentinian squad twice, but I didn’t play with him. It was fantastic, the same as in the matches he trains. It’s something you cannot believe” the Brighton midfielder stated.

Mac Allister also told the story of how when he met Lionel Messi, “I was red, completely red. I didn’t even want to say hello. I was really nervous even to meet one of the best players in the world, but it was fantastic, of course. It’s something I’m not going to forget. It was magic when my dad played with Maradona and I could train with Lionel Messi.”