Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister has impressed once again while on international duty, with the midfielder featuring in Argentina's win over Bolivia.
Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina warms up prior to the international friendly match between Argentina and Bolivia
Alexis Mac Allister impressed for Argentina on international duty(Image: (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images))
Alexis Mac Allister has been tipped as an option to succeed Lionel Messi as Argentina's number ten, after the Liverpool star impressed once again for his national team.
The midfielder has been a mainstay for the side in recent years, featuring heavily in the 2022 World Cup campaign that ended in triumph, as well as this summer's tournament that ended in a heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the final.
The 27-year-old possesses both the energy and bite required to feature for Argentina, as well as the technical quality that can help unlock those around him, a quality that Liverpool will be keen to see more of this season, after a difficult campaign last time out.
All eyes are on Mac Allister and his teammates to drive the national team forward in the coming years, after Messi announced his impending retirement from international soccer, and they certainly proved that they are up for the task.
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A friendly clash with Bolivia gave them a chance to show their qualities, and a 4-0 triumph calmed any nerves that may have been present about a quick drop-off in form.
Mac Allister started the match and completed 74 minutes before he was substituted, walking off the field with an assist to Lautaro Martinez for the opener to end an ideal performance for the Liverpool star.
Argentinian outlet TyC Sports raved about the midfielder's display, and even suggested that he could and should be the player to take the number ten shirt from Messi, once that is free.
After giving him a seven out of ten mark for his performance, the assessment of his display said: "The heart of the team, always well-positioned, always an option, always ready to create.
Robson Matheus of Bolivia is challenged by Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina during the international friendly match between Argentina and Bolivia
Alexis Mac Allister impressed for Argentina against Bolivia(Image: (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images))
"A modern midfielder, constantly moving up and down the pitch, carrying the ball back and forth, participating and creating opportunities. In my opinion, he's the right man to wear the number 10 in the near future, just like he does at Liverpool."
It would be quite the motivation for Mac Allister to continue showing his quality for Argentina, joining a long list of famous names to inherit the number ten shirt number in the process.
"We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni recently admitted when asked about the successor to Messi's number.
"The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven't decided who yet."
If that is to be Mac Allister, then it would be quite the moment for the Liverpool star, as he continues to push on into the new season in some ideal form.