Ulloa: Mac Allister as important as Messi at World Cup

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Former forward delighted with Albion midfielder's impact in Argentina's World Cup victory.

Luke Nicoli

2022-12-23T09:20:00Z

Alexis Mac Allister made six appearances at the World Cup for Argentina, including his start in the final.

Leo Ulloa says Alexis Mac Allister’s performances at the World Cup were on a par with the great Lionel Messi.

The former Seagull was mesmerised by his compatriot’s displays in Qatar and felt he showed a maturity that eclipsed the more senior figures around him.

“For me, Messi was number one, then it was Alexis because he played every game at the same high level,” said Ulloa from his home in Madrid. “Whether it was passing, keeping the ball, defending or attacking, he did everything very well. He became very, very important for the team.

“Messi, of course, is wonderful, especially running with the ball in one-v-one situations, but you can count on one hand the times Alexis lost the ball. He always played on the front foot and knew what he had to do for the team. His mentality was perfect.

“What made his performances even more incredible was the fact that he came into the tournament with very few appearances for the national team – and many of them were from the subs’ bench or he was replaced in games.

Leo Ulloa made 70 appearances for Albion over two spells.

“I have watched a number of Brighton games over the past few months and although Alexis was playing well, in the World Cup he was even better. He played much, much better than I thought he would. Amazing!”

Indeed, Alexis had only made eight senior appearances prior to Qatar, which speaks volumes for the way he carried himself throughout the tournament. The only time he showed any hint of anxiety came as he stood for the national anthem prior to kick-off against France, and he confirmed as much in the post-match celebrations.

“After the game I read an interview with Alexis, in which he did say he was scared, because it was the World Cup final, because it was Messi, because of what it meant to the people,” Ulloa added. “But once that whistle blew, he just played his natural game – and played like he had been there for 20 years!

“Throughout the tournament, he never played as if the occasion was too big for him or he was under a lot of pressure. Never. He played with passion, but he was always calm, he always wanted the ball, and he linked up well with all his teammates.

“My feeling was that he knew exactly what to do in every situation and that must be so difficult when you are playing for Argentina in a World Cup, especially when you don’t have much experience. It was the same with Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez – they have only just started their international careers but played like they’d been together for a long, long time. That is also down to the work of the coach and the staff, to have belief in these players in the most demanding of situations.”

Alexis Mac Allister became the first Albion player ever to win the World Cup.

Argentina’s second goal that afternoon will long be regaled alongside the likes of Marco Tardelli and Carlos Alberto in World Cup final history. There was an inevitability about Mac Allister’s involvement, as his perfectly-timed, sliding ball across the face of the goal was swept home by the incoming Angel Di Maria – finishing a move that also involved the intricacies of Messi and Alvarez.

“I may be speaking as a striker, but if I had received the ball like Alexis, I would have controlled it, headed straight to the box and tried to shoot!” added Leo of a goal which handed Argentina a commanding 2-0 lead. “But he had the capacity to see Di Maria behind him and find him. That is crazy!

“How is it possible for him to see Di Maria in that situation? The pass was perfect also. It wasn’t a strong pass but enough that the keeper couldn’t cut it out. To do it in that situation with all that pressure, it was just incredible.”

Now 36, Ulloa indeed speaks as a striker but one who hung up his boots last year following a spell at Rayo Vallecano. While he has dipped his toe in some football agency work, his main focus is on the ice cream, chocolate and patisserie distribution business he operates out of the Spanish capital. It has also freed up more family time – and he took full advantage by flying out to Qatar for the quarter-final game against the Netherlands.

“We managed to get some tickets and it was amazing,” he smiled. “It was an unbelievable game where Argentina were winning comfortably, then the game changed so quickly, along with our emotions.

“The team never gave in and they grew stronger in the second period of extra-time – and our mentality and desire to win took us to victory. I was behind the goal for the penalties and just to be there, to experience the victory, the raw emotion, and to be a part of the World Cup, it will always live with me.

The striker scored 28 times in an Albion shirt.

“The experience of that game also helped us in the final, where we had to suffer again, and in a very similar way. We knew what to expect. We grew strong again to get over the line.”

Leo was back home in Madrid for the final, where he watched with family and friends. It proved to be a hugely emotional afternoon – and one replicated by all Argentines as a first final victory in 36 years was secured.

“Those penalty kicks, wow! When I looked at my two daughters at the end, I burst into tears – just like they did. You know how Argentine people are; we have such a passion for football, such a desire to be world champions after so long. It’s part of our culture, our identity, and our players carry that with them. You all saw with the celebrations back home just what it means to us all.”

Leo is travelling back to Argentina this week to experience the continued celebrations, first-hand. He will also be keeping one eye on the exploits of the Albion, as he has done ever since he left the club back in 2014, likewise those of Mac Allister when he returns to Sussex.

“I try to watch as many Brighton games as I can and it’s fantastic to see the team doing so well,” he said. “The club means so much to me and, of course, it’s great to see Alexis, another Argentine, playing for the club.

“It will be interesting to see the reaction towards him when he returns because there will be a different expectation on him now. Fans, teammates, the media, they will want the same levels from him that he showed in the World Cup, but that is not always going to be possible.

“We need to remember he is still young, still learning, but I’m sure he will still be helping Brighton a lot, given the maturity he shows on and off the pitch. There are no guarantees in a player’s performance, of course, but one thing is for sure, he will be a regular in the national team from now on!”