Argentina vs Poland: His father played with Diego Maradona. Now, Alexis Mac Aller shines along side Lionel Messi at World Cup

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During his illustrious career, Carlos Mac Aller shared the pitch Diego Maradona, playing along side the legendary forward at Boca Juniors and Argentina. On Wednesday, he was in the stands of Stadium 974 in Doha watching his son, Alexis, share the stage with one of the grats of this generation – Lionel Messi.
And Alexis wasn’t content merely playing along side his idol. He scored the goal – his first international goal – that paved the way for Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland, helping them enter the last-16 of the World Cup, ran the Polish defenders ragged, created chances and also saved Messi the blushes, after the captain missed a first-half penalty.
It was quite an evening for the 23-year-old, far removed from the once shy boy he once was around Messi. During their first meeting – at a national team training camp – Mac Aller had turned red seeing Messi. “Completely red,” he told The Athletic in an interview. “I didn’t want even to say hello. I was really nervous even to meet one of the best players in the world, but it was fantastic, of course.”
He added: “It’s something I’m not going to forget. It was magic when my dad played with Maradona and I could train with Lionel Messi.”
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Aller, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Argentina at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
He’s more than trained now.
On a dramatic night, Messi had a penalty saved in the first half Wojcieck Szczesny, who frustrated Argentines throughout the 45 minutes pulling off some stunning saves. With Argentina needing a win to be assured of a place in last 16, there were moments of anxiety for the fans during half time. And they found inspiration from the most unlikeliest of sources.
A minute after restart, Mac Aller latched on to a pass from Nahuel Molina and although he didn’t make a clear connection with his right foot, he managed to find the far post to beat Szczesny.
It was his first international goal, one which seemed to have calmed down Argentina, who scored a second Julian Alvarez to put the result beyond doubt.
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Aller scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Argentina at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Although he found his name on the scoresheet, Mac Aller is known more for making other – equally important – contributions, be it providing asss, flicking on long balls from the defence in the direction of his attack partners or doing what he does the best – creating chances from setpieces. That’s what he’s done at his club – Brighton and Hove Albion – and that’s what he’s done for Messi and Argentina in his 10 international appearances.

Curiously, though, Mac Aller didn’t have the most warmest of welcomes to the senior team dressing room when he was called up two years ago. Aller’s Irish descent earned him the nickname “ginger” – because of the colour of his hair, owing to his Irish ancestry – which he didn’t really approve of. It was Lionel Messi who stepped up for him.
“I remember everyone called me Colo, which is ‘ginger’ in Argentina. I don’t like it much and Messi told the teammates,’ He doesn’t like to be called Colo, so don’t call him that!’,” he told The Athletic.
Messi protected him back then. He covered up for Messi this time.