ATLANTA (Special Envoy). It is impossible to isolate yourself from the context. Just go outside scrolling networks or turn on the TV to understand that this Argentina-England lives differently. Atlanta was paralyzed for several days due to the World Cup semi-finals, and the team is also living in such a climate. It’s no coincidence that at Tuesday’s open training, some 500 journalists from more than 15 countries followed the team’s every move at the Atlanta United complex, as well as at the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, where Thomas Tuchel led the European team’s final training session.
It is also not surprising that during these hours there is a police presence in the city: in team hotels, in the city center, in main meeting places and even on motorways. Clear: This Wednesday’s match has significance beyond any World Cup.. And the players don’t live outside of this climate either. So, Alexis Mac Allister, born 12 years after Maradona’s goal for Azteca, brings back the memory of Diego when asked if this game is special. And Rodrigo de Paul speaks of a “unique match”, not to mention the fact that this team is reaching its fifth semi-final in a row and already knows what it means to win a match of this type.
Alexis Mac Allister didn’t get to see Maradona play, but his father, Carlos, was Diego’s teammate at Boca and they had a relationship that also marked their history. – Credits: @Aníbal Greco
“It’s difficult to be inspired by what Maradona did; It is almost impossible to repeat what he did on the court.Only Leo (Messi) can achieve something like this. Today, videos of the 1986 game are appearing online; They help you by seeing them and remembering them. For us, Diego is a very important flag as a country. Hopefully we can do something similar to what they achieved,” said Alexis, whose World Cup performances have fluctuated from low to high and who, although he hasn’t started yet, found a morale boost in the goal against Egypt that he will now be keen to carry over to the pitch against England.
Alexis has never seen Maradona play. He was born in 1998, a year after Diego retired from football. But the connection with Maradona began from a very early age. Carlos, his father, was a teammate of the star at Boca between 1995 and 1996, and also in the national team, where they shared a playoff against Australia en route to the 1994 World Cup. They were friends and Alexis even has a photo on his mobile phone taken in 2005 with his father, brothers and Maradona after a friendly match.
Alexis (center) with her father, brothers and Diego Maradona during an exhibition match in 2005.
Alexis also made it clear what this match means for the team: “It means a lot because it’s a world semi-final. We all want to play this match and reach the final. We are super Argentines, we love our country and we want to represent the team in the best possible way.“Added Mac Allister, not engaging in controversy, but making it clear that from a footballing perspective there is a history that makes this match something special, beyond the fact that Argentina have not faced an opponent since 2005, when they lost 3-2 in a friendly in Switzerland.
Interestingly, Mac Allister also has a very strong connection with England. He has been playing there since 2020, first with Brighton and then with Liverpool, his current club. and their daughter Alaya was also born in 2025.. The midfielder knows most of his opponents well, who he usually faces every weekend, and while he praised their hierarchy, he also highlighted an aspect where he believes Argentina can gain an advantage.
“They’re a great team. We respect them very much, but out of that respect, we will do everything we can to make sure everything goes well.” We trust ourselves very much, we know very well what we are doing, and we are not going to leave it.“, he said. And then added: “Physically they are very strong. But at this World Championship it was clear that They don’t have the rhythm that characterizes the Premier League.. “I don’t know if you can call it fatigue, but it’s noticeable.”
Rodrigo De Paul spoke about the history surrounding the match, with the inevitable references to Maradona and Malvina. – Credits: @Aníbal Greco
The mention of Maradona was not only in the mouth of Alexis. Some time later, Rodrigo de Paul also remembered Diego. He belongs to the generation that grew up between Maradona’s farewell to the national team and Messi’s arrival in an Argentine jersey, and he grew up admiring both. His poor performances in the last few games have cast doubt on his continuity, although he made it clear at Tuesday’s press conference that he wants to be present for a special match against a pecking order rival with another historic burden.
“This match is very important, it brings back a lot of memories. for what Diego did and for what happened at that time. All the songs that are sung are related to our heroes.. But we must understand that this is a game and that the Malvinas Islands need to be discussed elsewhere,” the midfielder said. On Tuesday, he returned to the idea from a different place: “We’re very receptive to all the energy people send us. I’m very motivated and want to play.“.
Rodrigo de Paul with Lionel Messi, his friend and one of the two greatest football authorities of his generation, along with Diego Maradona – Photo: @Aníbal Greco
For De Paul, the team’s performance was not the best, but this does not prevent Argentina from being the same as always in the hottest game of the World Cup. “I don’t judge other opinions. Football is also good because it causes a lot of discussion. We are very happy and calm about our World Cup and our process.. There is always something to improve, but in a world championship in which 48 teams participated, we finished in the top four, and in another we were champions,” he stressed.
The past explains why this match is different. The rest will be decided in court.