Mac Allister and De Paul, between Maradona's legacy and another duel with England

The atmosphere in Atlanta is palpable as Argentina prepares to face England in a World Cup semifinal, a match that transcends the usual stakes of the tournament. The city has been gripped by anticipation for days, and the national team is immersed in this charged climate.

This intense focus is evident in the media attention, with hundreds of journalists from over 15 countries observing Argentina's practice sessions. The security presence throughout the city further underscores the significance of the game. For the Argentine players, this match carries a weight that goes beyond simply reaching the final.

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Alexis never saw play Maradona. He was born in 1998, a year after Diego retired from football.

Alexis Mac Allister, born 12 years after Diego Maradona's iconic goals in the 1986 World Cup, feels the pull of Maradona's legacy. He acknowledges the difficulty of replicating Maradona's brilliance but hopes to achieve something similar. Mac Allister's own connection to Maradona is personal; his father, Carlos, was a teammate of Maradona's at Boca Juniors and on the national team. A photograph from 2005 showing a young Alexis with Maradona serves as a cherished reminder of this bond.

Mac Allister described the match as "a lot" for the squad, emphasizing their collective desire to play in the semifinal and reach the final. He stated, "We are super Argentinian, we love our country and we want to represent the national team in the best way possible." The team is looking to build on their momentum, with Mac Allister aiming to transfer the confidence gained from his goal against Egypt to this crucial encounter against England.

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But the bond with Maradona goes back a long way. His father, Carlos, was the star's teammate at Boca Juniors between 1995 and 1996 and also on the national team.