World Cup 2026: Mac Allister Says We're Ready to Do the Hard Work to Help Messi Succeed

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said the Argentina squad is fully committed to doing the work needed to keep Lionel Messi comfortable and successful at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mac Allister, along with midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández, adopts a disciplined, high‑energy role in the centre of the pitch to shield the defence and win possession back.

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He explained that the team’s collective task is to anticipate Messi’s movements and cover the ground so the Inter Miami star can conserve energy for key attacking moments.

“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” he 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, scored a hat‑trick in a 3‑0 win over Algeria to level Miroslav Klose’s all‑time World Cup record of 16 goals.

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The former Barcelona and Paris Saint‑Germain star led his country to World Cup glory four years ago, and the prospect of representing his nation again on the biggest stage proved irresistible.

The impressive, air‑conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys will host Argentina’s second group game against Austria and could be the perfect venue for Messi to break Klose’s record.