Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has issued an emotional message to supporters – and a pointed response to those mocking his team – following their World Cup final defeat by Spain.
The Liverpool player, a key figure for the Albiceleste, used a lengthy Instagram post to reflect on the pain of losing the final, to thank fans at home and abroad, and to insist that Argentina will rise again.
He also said that messages of ridicule from abroad were only strengthening the squad’s national pride.
‘We were so close… that’s why it hurts twice as much’
Mac Allister opened his message by dwelling on how narrow the defeat felt for the world champions, who were attempting to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
He wrote: “كنا قريبين للغاية.. ولهذا السبب يبدو الالم مضاعفا. لكن احدا لن يستطيع تجريدنا مما عشناه خلال هذه البطولة؛ فما جعلتمونا نشعر به لم يكن امرا عاديا. لقد عانينا وواجهنا الصعاب، لكننا تجاوزناها معا. ارجوكم الا ننسى هذا ابدا: نحن معا اقوى من اي احد”.
Translated, he said Argentina had come “so close”, which made the loss feel “doubled in pain”, but stressed that no one could take away the experiences they had shared with their supporters during the tournament.
Mac Allister underlined that the squad had “suffered and faced difficulties” but had overcome them together, urging fans never to forget that “together we are stronger than anyone”.
Memories of 2022 – and two new images ‘that will never fade’
The midfielder, who helped Lionel Messi’s side lift the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, said this latest tournament had created its own defining images that would remain with him for life.
He wrote that, just as he would never forget the day in 2022 when the team walked, cried and celebrated with the Argentine people on the streets of Buenos Aires with their World Cup medals, the current campaign had also left him with “two scenes that cannot be erased”, which he said healed “the wounds of every Argentinian”.
Explaining the first, Mac Allister said: “كان ذلك عندما انفجرت الجماهير الارجنتينية في المدرجات باحتفالات جنونية فور استلامنا ميداليات المركز الثاني، حيث جعل حضور العايلات والاصدقاء والمشجعين اي احتفال اخر يبدو باهتا بجهودهم”.
He described how Argentina’s fans inside the stadium erupted in wild celebrations as the players collected their runners-up medals, with the presence of families, friends and supporters making “any other celebration look pale” by comparison.
The second unforgettable image came on their return home to Buenos Aires.
He added: “رغم الامطار والبرد، استقبلونا بحب لوطنهم ولهذا الفريق لا يمكن لاي شيء ان ينقص منه. اعذروني على هذا التعبير، لكنكم جميعا مجانين بحق، ونحن نعشق ذلك!”.
In English, he recalled thousands braving rain and cold to greet the team with unrelenting affection. He called that love for the country and the team something nothing could diminish, joking that the fans were “truly crazy” – and that the players loved them for it.
‘Let’s cry – then stand up and move forward’
Mac Allister urged Argentinians to allow themselves to grieve the defeat but not to be consumed by it.
“دعونا نبكي، لاننا ارجنتينيون ونريد الفوز دايما. لكن بعد البكاء، لننهض ونتحد ونمضي قدما، فهذه ليست النهاية. لقد ذكرتني امي هذه الايام بمثل شعبي يقول: (اذا كانت هناك فرصة للثار، فلا تخف)”.
“Let’s cry,” he wrote, “because we are Argentinians and we always want to win.” But he insisted that after the tears, the country must “stand up, unite and move forward”, stressing: “this is not the end”.
He revealed that his mother had reminded him of a popular saying: “If there is a chance for revenge, do not be afraid.”
The phrase was widely interpreted by local media as a pledge that the current generation, who delivered the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles, still believe they have more trophies to chase.
Thanks to supporters – and a message for the mockers
The 25-year-old concluded by offering thanks not only to those who had stood behind Argentina, but also to those who had mocked the team after the defeat.
He wrote: “امتناني الابدي لعايلاتنا واصدقاينا وللجنود المجهولين في هذا الفريق، ولكل من يقف بجانبنا في السراء والضراء. شكرا لكل ارجنتيني على كل رسالة حب ودعم. واوجه الشكر ايضا لمن بعثوا الينا من دول اخرى برسايل سخرية او شماتة في المنا؛ فمن حيث لا تشعرون، تجعلوننا نشعر بفخر اكبر كل يوم لاننا ارجنتينيون”.
Mac Allister expressed “eternal gratitude” to families, friends and the “unknown soldiers” working behind the scenes with the squad, as well as to every Argentinian who sent messages of love and support.
He also directly addressed those abroad who had sent “messages of mockery or gloating”: he said that, without realising it, they made the team “feel prouder every day to be Argentinians”.
