(foto: Getty Images)
Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister made it clear that Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey is off-limits, even in his absence from the Argentina squad.
As Argentina prepares for two challenging World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, the national team will have to do so without their captain, Lionel Messi, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Upon his arrival at the Ezeiza training camp, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool was asked about the possibility of wearing Messi’s famous number 10 jersey in his absence.
The midfielder, who dons the number 10 for his club, dismissed the idea immediately. "Take care of Messi's ‘10’? No, the ‘10’ belongs to Leo and no one else," said Mac Allister when speaking to the media. His statement reflects the deep respect and reverence that Messi commands within the team, even when he's not present on the pitch.
Mac Allister, a regular starter under coach Lionel Scaloni, has quickly become an important part of the Argentina national team. "It's always a pride to play for the national team, for my country. So I really enjoy it, and hopefully, it can be another important date for us," he added. The midfielder has already earned 19 caps for Argentina, further solidifying his role in the squad.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming matches, it remains to be seen who, if anyone, will step up to wear the iconic number 10 jersey in Messi’s absence. But as far as Mac Allister is concerned, the shirt still belongs to the Argentine legend.