An Argentinian star is considered the greatest star of the World Cup, not Messi!

15.07.26 FT World Cup

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Argentina

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If you read the title, your mind will go to the point where you think the mystery name might be one of the old legends who achieved everything for the Argentine national team, but the surprise is that the mystery name is a current player and one of the young names of Argentina.

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Alexis Mac Allister has carved out a unique place in World Cup history—not through flashy goals or highlight-reel dribbles, but through an unblemished record that no other player can claim. According to Opta, no footballer has ever featured in more unbeaten World Cup matches than the Argentine midfielder, who now stands alone with 13 such appearances to his name.

What makes that statistic even more remarkable is the detail behind it. Across those 13 games, Mac Allister has experienced 11 victories and two stalemates—but even those draws carried no sting of elimination. On both occasions when the clock ran out with scores level, Argentina held their nerve from the penalty spot and marched on. In every single outing he has had on football’s grandest stage, the final whistle has always signalled progress for him and his country. No defeats, no early exits, no bitter endings—just an uninterrupted story of survival and success, written one match at a time.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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