Mac Allister urges Argentina to channel Maradona's spirit against England

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has called on his team to draw inspiration from football legend Diego Maradona ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash with England. The highly anticipated match on Wednesday revives a fierce rivalry that famously peaked in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where Maradona scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal and a breathtaking solo effort. Argentina went on to win that tournament, a feat they repeated in 2022 with Lionel Messi leading the charge and Mac Allister in the squad.

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I don’t know if it’s just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the ’86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them.

Mac Allister revealed he has been watching videos of Maradona, particularly from the 1986 game, finding them motivating. "Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986," he told reporters. His father, Carlos Mac Allister, played alongside Maradona for Argentina and at Boca Juniors, adding a personal connection to the legend.

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Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986.

The Liverpool player acknowledged Maradona's unique talent, stating, "He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things…. Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that." This World Cup semi-final marks the first encounter between Argentina and England since 2002, as Argentina seeks to reach its third final in four tournaments.

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He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things…. Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that.

Reflecting on England's performance, Mac Allister suggested their intensity has not matched Premier League standards in the current tournament. "I don’t know if it’s to do with the heat, the climate or something else," he said. "But obviously they are a great team who we greatly respect. I imagine tomorrow’s game will be played with a lot of intensity and obviously plenty of jitters on both sides."

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I don’t know if it’s to do with the heat, the climate or something else. But obviously they are a great team who we greatly respect.