Alexis-Mac-Allister-Player

The Seagulls midfielder is with his national squad as they celebrate global glory with a friendly against effectively Panama’s second string at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, scene of the nation's 1978 triumph. Mac Allister was a key man in Argentina’s Qatar success and was given a hero’s welcome back to the training ground in Lancing when he returned to club duty. It is still spoken about in Argentina. Speaking ahead of tonight's match, he said: “People saw the affection that I have for the club and the affection that the club has for me. “Since then there is stronger support. “That people get up early in the morning to watch Brighton is a source of pride. "There is an Argentine community that is very supportive of me and the club. And they are happy.” Players and non-playing staff welcomed Mac Allister back to training after the World Cup, cheering and clapping as he walked into the reception area and then setting off confetti as he lifted a replica trophy. Asked if he was expecting such scenes, he said: “Not really. That's when you start to realise what it means to win a World Cup. “They came to pick me up at the airport, they took me directly and I anticipated that there was something, but not that much! “I was embarrassed to hold up the trophy after greeting everyone but they insisted on it because there was ‘something else’. “I picked it up and the pieces of paper exploded.” Mac Allister told readers of Ole.com in Argentina that the reception was special. But he added: “For me it was not a turning point. “I have always had the love and support of the club since I arrived. “It was very strong the first year because I didn't get to play much. “I knew they were expecting more because I came from Boca, an Argentine player. “It was a big moment for the Argentine people with Brighton, how they welcomed me back.” Mac Allister said Albion colleagues – and a notable midfield adversary in the Premier League – had been impressed by the reaction of Argentina fans to success in Qatar. He said: “When I got here, they had everything in mind and they told me, 'It's crazy, what it's like to live that? I don't want to imagine'. “They laugh a lot about the Argentina fans who, when we sing, do like a little hand (makes a gesture). “They drive me crazy with it. Every time they sing, they look at me and do it. They really enjoy Argentine people. “The other day, against West Ham, the game was stopped for a few minutes and we got to talk to an opponent, Declan Rice. “He congratulated me and we started talking about the five million people on the street. “He said, ‘I play for England, but what you went through is crazy’. “He is right. We are very grateful and privileged for that.” Mac Allister is expected to start against Panama while Facundo Buonanotte is part of the squad and has been getting to know senior colleagues, including Lionel Messi. The match kicks off at 11.30pm our time.

Alexis Mac Allister says there is no time to reflect on his progress at the World Cup. But he is relishing life as a regular in the Argentina midfield. The Albion man is expected to start for the fourth successive game as his nation face the Netherlands tomorrow. He was brought into the side after the shock opening defeat by Saudi Arabia and caught the eye with busy midfield performances – and a vital goal against Poland. Speaking ahead of the quarter-finals, Mac Allister told media: “Have I had time to think about what is happening? Not really. “In the future, I will reflect a little more. “It is difficult right now with so much going on and so much that is being played at the moment, but obviously I am very excited and I am very happy. “I try to do things in the best way to help my team-mates. “I have been feeling very good and I hope to continue like this. “When I was abroad, I always worked to be here. “I am very grateful because Lionel (Scaloni, head coach) gave me the chance to play, to participate in this World Cup.” There were suggestions in the Argentinean media Mac Allister was affected by fatigue in the 2-1 win over Australia in the last 16. He played his part without scaling the heights of performance against Poland which saw Lionel Messi hand over his man of the match award to the Albion star. Mac Allister himself believes the Aussies made life tough but can see the benefits of almost a clear week between matches this time. He said: “It was a very difficult game. “They pressed very well, they closed the spaces for us. “In the first half, it was perhaps a bit difficult for us, although in general terms we managed well, and we won. “These moments of rest are very important. “Against Australia, we played with a few days’ rest. “These four or five days will serve for us to rest and focus on the next game.” Mac Allister is being supported by his family and girlfriend in Qatar He said: “We are very excited to be able to continue advancing in the World Cup. “We know we have a good team but all the games are difficult. “We have a team with personality and the peace of mind to move the ball to play how we want.”

Alexis Mac Allister can learn from painful experience as helps carry the hopes of a nation. The Albion midfielder is comoeting for a start for Argentina as they open their World Cup campaign versus Saudi Arabia. He had made impressive progress within the national squad, built on performance in the Premier League. Now he could step into the starting midfield after Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out by injury. Mac Allister played for Argentina under-23s in a disappointing Olympics campaign. He told The Argus: “The Olympic Games were not what we expected. “It wasn’t a great experience for us but we have to take positives and negatives. “We know how hard it is to play a tournament like this. “You have to be 100% in every game, try to win all of them. “And we are very confident in ourselves and that is the most important thing.” Mac Allister started the last friendly before the World Cup, versus the United Arab Emirates, and was in the XI at training on Saturday. But fit-again Sevilla man Papu Gomez was in the team in the final session yesterday and appeared to be favourite for the XI. Whoever gets the nod will help support a front three of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez Mac Allister said: “I think this group of players is like special. “Everyone in Argentina can see that. “We feel the support of our people and that is amazing. “We know the World Cup is totally different. “You have got three games and lots of very good teams. We have to cam down a little bit.”