The Liverpool midfielder suggested that La Albiceleste strive to appear “stronger” in the absence of their influential captain Messi, noting that opponents exhibit greater apprehension when facing the team with the 37-year-old star on the field. Messi withdrew from the international friendlies scheduled for March due to an ιnjᴜry sustained during Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville. Consequently, the former Barcelona standout missed his club’s MLS encounter against DC United and opted not to join Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the friendly matches.

In an interview with ESPN, Mac Allister remarked, “We place a significant emphasis on the collective and team dynamics. We understand that in Leo’s absence, we need to elevate our performance because we lack that player who can rescue us when things go awry. When Leo is present, opponents tend to approach the match with a bit more trepidation, which is natural. We also have players from prominent European clubs, and when they see the Argentine National Team, they anticipate a challenging contest. That’s our objective—to ensure our opponents face a formidable challenge.”

Following a 3-0 victory over El Salvador, the reigning world champions are brimming with confidence as they prepare for their next friendly encounter against Costa Rica, as part of their buildup for the 2024 Copa America.