World Cup 2022: Fans Share Similarities Between Messi and Mac Allister

• Argentina are still basking in the euphoria of lifting the World Cup title for the third time
• Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was pivotal in the victory playing six games since being benched for the opener
• Fans have now shared similarities between him and Lionel Messi after his displays at the Mundial

Argentina opened their World Cup campaign with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, many were quick to erase their favourites tag after the loss but like Spain at South Africa in 2010, they went all the way and lifted the trophy.

The opening day loss forced Lionel Scaloni to bring changes in the team and Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was one of those brought into the team to change things in midfield, it worked, and he played all six games onwards.

He got his first World Cup goal in the third group game; an opener and Argentina went on to win the match and held onto his starting spot in the team helping La Albiceleste triumph in Qatar.

The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad

Football

The 23-year-old is no stranger to Premier League fans but for many others the World Cup announced him to the world. Fans have now shared similarities between him and the man he looked after, Lionel Messi.

Fans compare Mac Allister to Messi

A Twitter user who is a popular Barcelona fan and Messi lover shared a tweet after the World Cup claiming he thought it was Messi each time the Brighton midfielder had the ball, and many agreed with him.

@RafaelH117 tweeted:

Call me crazy, but during the World Cup at times I confused the way Mac Allister carried the ball with Messi, was it just me?

@WhattaHit said:

No, I had the same thoughts. Similar height and look to him, also the way he turned and how the ball stuck to his feet while doing so. The BBC commentator Guy Mowbrey even said that he could see Mac Allister taking over some of Messi’s duties, when Leo retires.

Portugal World Cup Squad 2022: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing this World Cup?

Football

@FCBCuler22 tweeted:

Nope! I too thought I was the only one seeing that. He had a lot of Leo’s body movements/faints and a lot of the times I thought it was Leo with the ball when it was actually Mac Allister.

@OmarFlacko_ said:

I swear! … I literally said the exact same thing to my bro … Even in his half turn with the ball … So Messi-esque� … Man really rubbed off on the whole squad … I could see at least a facet of Messi’s game in those midfield boys

@Tanayshah08 added:

The thing is, he has a similar build and beard to messi, carries himself similar to the �� And to make things harder for us, his jersey number is 20, which can be mistaken for Messi's 10 due to the font style �� So yes, many people sometimes mistook him for Messi.

@whoooooooodis said in a separate tweet:

Goalkeeper Martinez saves Argentina from World Cup heartbreak

Football

Have mistaken Mcallister for Messi an embarrassing number of times this World Cup

When Mac Allister met Messi

Sports Brief earlier reported the emotions of Alexis Mac Allister when he met his idol Lionel Messi for the first time in 2019 with the national team.

He admitted to having sweaty and shaking hands at the sight of the man he idolizes. Now he's a world champion alongside him.

The versatile midfielder recorded a final contribution after assisting Angel Di Maria in a counter also involving touched from Julian Alvarez and Messi.