Marcelo Allende overlooked again as Chile snub continues

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende has once again been left out of the Chile squad, extending his wait for international recognition since joining the South African club.

Allende has been overlooked despite helping Sundowns win the CAF Champions League, appearing at the FIFA Club World Cup and preparing to play in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Saturday.

Chile will face the three countries that hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the upcoming international window: Canada on September 26, the USA on September 29 and Mexico on October 6.

La Roja head coach Nicolas Cordova has selected players based in Chile, along with footballers playing in Argentina, England, the USA, Spain, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal and Russia. Some of those chosen are with lower-division clubs in those countries.

Allende, however, remains absent despite making an impressive start to the new season with Sundowns. The 27-year-old has regularly produced strong performances and, when he has not been collecting man-of-the-match awards, has maintained a high level of consistency without frequent injury problems.

His continued exclusion has underlined the difficulty he faces in gaining the attention of Chile’s selectors while playing in the Betway Premiership.

Allende has not been selected for Chile since arriving at Sundowns in July 2022. He currently has one senior international cap, earned while playing for Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay, but has remained part of the wider national-team picture because of his record at youth level.

He captained Chile’s Under-20 team and also represented the country at Under-17 level.

The lack of international opportunities is among the reasons Allende is considering leaving Sundowns when his contract expires at the end of June next year.

A move to another league is now being explored, with Mexico’s top division and Major League Soccer among the options under consideration. Those close to the player believe he merits a return to the Chile squad, but feel he may need to move to a competition more visible to selectors in his homeland.

For now, his achievements with Sundowns have not changed his international situation. Even with continental success, Club World Cup involvement and another significant fixture ahead, Allende has again been left waiting for a call from Chile.