Regardless of their views on the actions of the Argentine players during and after the 2026 World Cup final, the fighting spirit and solidarity they always show cannot be denied.
The Argentine team has become the focus of criticism after the defeat to Spain, but instead of avoiding it, the players reacted in a familiar way. The more they were attacked, the more they showed national pride. No apologies were given and no one expressed regret for their behavior.
The messages that the Argentine players sent to fans after the tournament were all imbued with emotional colors and self-esteem.
Lisandro Martinez wrote on social media: "Remember that the collapse of the great is the joy of the mediocre".
Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister posted a message: "Thank you to people from other countries who sent us mockery or glee at our pain. Unintentionally, you make us even more proud of Argentina".
These statements show that Mac Allister has no intention of apologizing for the controversies related to the Argentine team at the World Cup. When mentioning "other countries", many people think that England is the main target that the Liverpool midfielder is aiming for.
That also means Mac Allister and Lisandro Martinez are likely to face an unfriendly reception when the 2026-2027 Premier League season kicks off. Although it is difficult to have excessive reactions in the stands, Argentine players will certainly continuously be reminded of controversial images at the World Cup.
However, that pressure may become the motivation for Mac Allister to regain his form. Last season, the 27-year-old midfielder only scored 2 goals and had four assists after 37 appearances in the Premier League. This achievement is significantly lower than in the 2024-2025 season, when he contributed 5 goals and five assists after 35 matches.
Although one of the most persistent players in the 2026 World Cup - only behind Rodri in terms of distance traveled - Mac Allister could not show that at Liverpool, contributing to the team finishing only in fifth place in the Premier League.
His form once sparked rumors of moving to Real Madrid, but coach Andoni Iraola quickly affirmed that Liverpool has no intention of parting ways with the Argentine midfielder.
I think Alexis is one of Liverpool's best players in recent years. He has just had a very good World Cup so it is normal for other teams to be interested. But I want to keep my best players" - the Spanish strategist emphasized.
Iraola clearly still has faith in Mac Allister. However, what he wants is an explosive version of the 2024-2025 season, instead of the unstable performance in the previous campaign.
If the criticisms after the World Cup really become motivation, Liverpool can completely witness a Mac Allister exploding again in the new season.
