It’s a welcome home fit for a world champion. After arriving from Buenos Aires at London Heathrow at 7.30am on Monday, Alexis Mac Allister walked back to Brighton’s training ground at 10am to cheering teammates and two confetti cannons spraying blue, white and gold.
‘It’s not as heavy as the real thing,’ said Mac Allister after lifting a replica World Cup trophy bought by his proud Premier League club, which also draped the entranceway in Argentine flags.
Mac Allister looked awkward at first, as if embarrassed that it had all been arranged for his return as he hugged his Brighton teammates. But the 24-year-old midfielder from Santa Rosa will have to get used to it. Everyone wants to shake hands with a World Cup winner.
Alexis Mac Allister was a key part of Argentina’s recent World Cup success in Qatar
He smiled mischievously when asked Sportsmail if he wants all the attention. ‘No, I’m a shy person,’ answered Mac Allister. ‘I don’t want to be in the middle.
‘In Argentina I can’t go out. People are crazy, ringing the doorbell at my house. There were a few moments when I signed a few shirts but I couldn’t get out every five minutes!
‘I can’t believe I won the World Cup. It was crazy, that day and the day we came out of Buenos Aires, five million people in the streets, 36 degrees (97°F). We were emotional, of course.
‘Even a month before the World Cup I don’t know if I’m going or not. But I will keep it in my mind forever. I got my shirt, the medal, a replica of the World Cup. Not many lift that cup. It’s really nice and heavy!’
He admitted that he didn’t know if he was going to the tournament a month before it started
Mac Allister has yet to watch the final – one of the best ever as Argentina drew 3-3 with France before winning 4-2 on penalties – but vows to do so in the coming days.
He was humble when asked about his assist for Angel di Maria, which Mail on Sunday chief sports writer Oliver Holt this week compared to Pele’s bruiser for Carlos Alberto’s goal in the 1970 World Cup final.
‘It was a very good ball but Angel made 90 per cent of the goal,’ Mac Allister said modestly.
There was no tension that day either. ‘I didn’t feel any pressure,’ he explained. I didn’t feel nervous. The day of the final I took a two hour siesta. We knew it was going to be the best day of our lives and it was.’ The reason Mac Allister returned to Brighton’s training ground on Monday, after a 14-hour flight, was not for this warm welcome.
He said he didn’t ‘feel pressure’ or ‘nerves’ on the day of the World Cup final
This is because he has told manager Roberto De Zerbi that he wants to train to face Everton at Goodison on Tuesday night, the venue where he scored twice in a 3-2 Premier League win last season.
‘Roberto knows I want to play,’ said Mac Allister. ‘But he has to make a decision. The important thing is that I’m here. I’m ready to play.’
De Zerbi had two questions for Mac Allister when they met for the first time on Monday. The first was: ‘Why didn’t you take a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Holland?’ The second is: ‘What is your best position on the pitch?’
Brighton know there will be attention on Mac Allister from Premier League rivals. Graham Potter’s Chelsea are already in talks to line him up as an alternative to Enzo Fernandez if the Benfica midfielder is too expensive.
Mac Allister has now returned to Brightin, a club he is ‘committed’ to and ‘happy’ to be at
However, Brighton had the foresight to tie down their Argentine to a new long-term deal a month before the World Cup. That contract runs through 2025 with an option for another year. Chelsea will have to spend big – similar to the £60million they paid Brighton for Marc Cucurella – to get Mac Allister in this transfer window.
However, De Zerbi resigned in the absence of Mac Allister on Monday, but has been urged to stay on until the end of the season.
‘I’m happy if he wants to stay with us until the end of the season and I think it’s better for him,’ said De Zerbi. ‘For us, sure, but also for him because at the moment changing the team in January could be a problem.
‘To start again after you win the World Cup is not that easy. The last game he played was the World Cup final. For him, Brighton is his home and to play another six months at home is very important for him.’
‘I’m focused on Brighton,’ said Mac Allister. ‘They know how grateful I am and I’m in no rush to leave. I’m really happy here. I enjoy every day. This will be an important achievement if we get into Europe.
He received a Happy New Year message from his legendary Argentina teammate Lionel Messi
‘The staff, team-mates, everyone at the club helped me become a better player. When I wasn’t playing, I was a bit p***** but I understood that I also have to help my teammates.
‘This club has given me the opportunity to improve my game. I am truly grateful.’
Mac Allister received a message from Lionel Messi on Sunday, thanking him for everything and wishing him a Happy New Year.
And Brighton’s No 10 hopes Argentina’s No 10 doesn’t keep his previous promise to retire. ‘We don’t want that,’ he said. ‘He knows it.’
Because of that, Brighton’s shy, smiling, super World Cup winner had to leave. Even after the long day that started in Buenos Aires, Mac Allister is ready for his next trip – to Everton.
