Alexis Mac Allister has shared his thoughts on the remarkable experience of playing alongside Lionel Messi, acknowledging that the Argentine captain’s brilliance is so instinctive it cannot be easily copied. Speaking after Argentina’s commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener, where Messi scored a stunning hat-trick, the Liverpool midfielder discussed the almost unreachable standards set by the legendary forward.

The magic of the one and only GOAT

As Lionel Messi continues to redefine the limits of football even in the later stages of his career, his Argentina teammates remain in constant admiration. Reflecting on the emphatic win in their first 2026 World Cup fixture, Mac Allister described what it feels like to share the field with a player whose footballing vision and execution are unmatched.

“I enjoy being with Leo a lot, there won’t be another one like him,” said Mac Allister. “It’s completely different to see it up close — the things he does are not normal. From my side, I just try to make the most of it; he’s crucial to us winning, and at the same time, there’s a huge sense of admiration. It’s very difficult to learn from what he does because you can picture it in your mind, but you can never reproduce it the same way. What I do learn from him are his values and the humility he shows, considering who he is.”

Breaking down the win over Algeria

Argentina began their campaign with a dominant display, led by Messi’s hat-trick, which brought him level as the top scorer in World Cup history. Mac Allister played an instrumental part in the build-up to the goals, showing tactical sharpness that allowed the Inter Miami superstar to operate at his best.

Recalling his role in the first goal, the Liverpool midfielder explained: “In the first one, I was positioned between the lines and saw that Leo was behind me. People talked about how I let the ball pass, but anyone who’s played football would know that Rodrigo’s (De Paul) pass had too much pace for me — it was clearly meant for him. The third goal was a beautiful move that started on the right, ended on the left with a pass back to Leo, and then his incredible finish next to the post — that’s just another example of his magic.”

A record-setting night in the World Cup

It was a historic evening for Messi, who not only starred with a hat-trick but also marked his record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance. Argentina’s 3-0 win moved Messi level with Miroslav Klose for the most victories in World Cup history, with both legends now on 17 wins.

The Argentine captain was substituted to a standing ovation in the 80th minute, with fans celebrating another chapter in his extraordinary career. Attention now turns to Argentina’s upcoming group matches — they face Austria on June 22 before wrapping up the opening stage against Jordan. The reigning champions are chasing history, aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup crown successfully.

Preparing for the Austrian test

With three points already in the bag, Argentina’s focus now shifts to their next group-stage game against Austria in Dallas. The European side is expected to provide a different physical and tactical challenge compared to Algeria, and Mac Allister emphasised that the world champions must maintain their hunger and intensity to secure early qualification for the knockout phase.

“We are a group that always wants more, and you can see that,” Mac Allister said. “Football depends on many things, but our only goal is to win. We want to give our best. You can feel the excitement among the people when a World Cup begins.”