Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s father, Carlos, shared what his son told him about rumoured dressing room tension before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday (July 19).
As per a video of Lionel Messi addressing his teammates ahead of the big game, the 39-year-old was seemingly trying to lessen frayed nerves:
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“Come on guys, stay calm, everyone. The main thing is to stay calm.”
As per La Nacion (via MC Sport), Carlos detailed his discussion with Alexis about what happened in the dressing room ahead of the Spain final, telling on Radio La Red:
“I texted Alexis: ‘Hi, what happened in the locker room? Has there been an incident?” I let myself be won over by doubt. If I started asking myself questions – while my son would have warned me immediately in case of a problem – imagine what others might have thought!”
Detailing his son’s reply, Carlos added:
“He told me that no, that they were talking about the way of approaching the game, in the football sense of the term: to play, to make passes, to make rotations and triangles, rather than swinging long balls or lose possession. That’s what it was about.
“But then, many doubts began to settle. In recent days, especially because of this publication, many people write to me and some suggest this kind of thing.”
As things turned out on the field, after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was dismissed for a poor tackle on Pau Cubarsi, Ferran Torres scored a 106th-minute winner, set up by fellow substitute Nico Williams.
How Lionel Messi fared for Argentina at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi enjoyed a brilliant 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign for Argentina in the United States, Mexico and Canada as the Albiceleste fell one win short of a successful title defence.
Making a sixth and likely final appearance at the quadrennial event, Messi scored eight times and four assists in eight games. However, he saw his record run of 11 consecutive games of scoring or assisting end in the defeat to Spain.
Having overtaken previous record holder Miroslav Klose (16), Messi (21) was eventually overtaken by France captain Kylian Mbappe (22) to the Golden Boot aa well aa all-time top scorer in the competition.
Edited by Bhargav