Alexis Mac Allister has urged Argentina to channel the spirit of Diego Maradona ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash against England on Wednesday. The match in Atlanta marks a renewal of a storied rivalry that peaked during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Maradona famously scored both goals in the quarter-final against England.
Mac Allister, who plays for Liverpool, believes that revisiting Maradona's legendary performances can inspire the current Argentine squad. "I don't know if it's just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the '86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them," he said.
The midfielder, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona, highlighted the unique skills of the late football icon. "He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things.... Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that," Mac Allister added.
Argentina, fresh off their 2022 World Cup victory with Lionel Messi as the driving force, aim to reach a second straight final. Mac Allister noted that England has yet to play with their usual Premier League intensity at the 2026 tournament, though he respects their capabilities. "I imagine tomorrow's game will be played with a lot of intensity and obviously plenty of jitters on both sides," he said.
