Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has heaped praise on star attacker Lionel Messi, revealing that he is the player who has surprised him the most for the national team.
Mac Allister is enjoying his first major tournament with La Albiceleste at the 2022 World Cup, and he has seemingly cemented his place in Lionel Scaloni's starting lineup after starting each of the last three games.
The Brighton & Hove Albion man scored his first international goal as Argentina beat Poland 2-0 on November 30 to secure top spot in Group C.
Indeed, that victory is the only game in which Messi has failed to score in at this year's World Cup, with the Paris Saint-Germain star finding the net in group-stage encounters against Saudi Arabia and Mexico before scoring in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia last Saturday.
Messi continues to shine on the international stage and he has now recorded 94 goals and 53 assists in 169 appearances for Argentina across all competitions.
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The 35-year-old is expected to lead his nation out as captain when Argentina lock horns with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday at Lusail Stadium.
Mac Allister has had the pleasure to play and train alongside Messi and the 23-year-old believes that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is the standout Argentine player who surprises him the most.
Asked at a press conference on Thursday about which Argentina players surprise him the most, Mac Allister said: "It's difficult to single out one player from our national team.
"We know Leo and he surprises us every day. I would say it's Leo Messi. He does unbelievable stuff, both in training and in matches. He seems happy and that is very important to us."
Messi is looking to equal or surpass Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time record goalscorer at the World Cup, with the former just one goal shy of the latter.
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Mac Allister is expecting a challenging encounter against the Netherlands but he feels that the group are in good spirits ahead of the match and he personally is relishing his experience at the World Cup.
"We know that (the Netherlands) have great players and a strong idea," the midfielder added. "But the most important thing is to think about our game and be aware of what we can do. The group is very good both in terms of spirit and football.
"I'm usually nervous before games, but during this World Cup it's not happening to me. I think I'm really enjoying all this."
Argentina have been boosted by the news that Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria have both trained ahead of Friday's clash and could be in contention to start.
De Paul missed training on Wednesday due to a minor hamstring injury, while Di Maria was an unused substitute in Argentina's win over Australia after picking up a muscle problem.
However, both players have shaken off their respective issues, while Papu Gomez is also pushing to be involved against the Netherlands after coming off against Australia with an ankle injury.
Victory for either Argentina or the Netherlands will see them set up a semi-final clash against either 2018 runners-up Croatia or five-time world champions Brazil.
Oliver Thomas
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