A formal complaint has been lodged against Alexis Mac Allister and Lionel Messi by the Algerian FA, following an apparent elbow at the 2026 World Cup.
After a poor season at Liverpool, Mac Allister is looking to win back-to-back World Cups with Argentina, again proving to be a key starter.
The 27-year-old featured prominently in his country’s 3-0 win over Algeria earlier this week, which saw Messi score a hat-trick.
It was Mac Allister’s shot that led to the greatest player of all time netting his second goal of the game, and he enjoyed a strong overall performance.
Despite that, some controversy has now emerged from the match.
Mac Allister and Messi subject of Algerian complaint
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Algerian FA have, according to the Athletic, lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, following refereeing decisions that went against them in the loss to Argentina.
One of those was an elbow by Mac Allister on Ibrahim Mazan, but referee Szymon Marciniak ignored a card during the Group J clash in Kansas.
The Liverpool man received no punishment, with the same applying to Messi, who got away with a nasty-looking tackle on Aissa Mandi’s Achilles tendon.
Speaking after the match, perturbed Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic said: “It’s pointless commenting on hypothetical situations, but everyone saw it, including me.”
Did Alexis Mac Allister deserve punishment for elbow?
DOHA, QATAR - Saturday, November 26, 2022: Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium. Argentina won 2-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Mac Allister is certainly one of Liverpool’s masters of the dark arts, proving to be an expert at winning free-kicks and often putting his physicality to good use.
But despite this, any retrospective action would be both harsh and a surprise, with the apparent elbow not justifying punishment.
Messi’s tackle was worse by modern standards, if accidental, and it could be argued that a lesser footballer may have received a red card.
Mac Allister will no doubt continue to be a key man as the World Cup progresses, proving to be a vital part of a midfield also containing Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez.
Next up for the world champions is a clash with Austria on Monday evening (6pm BST) – it would be a surprise if Mac Allister was suddenly banned for it.