Mac Allister backs Messi for Ballon d’Or while keeping Liverpool future open

Alexis Mac Allister says Lionel Messi deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, while admitting he has not yet decided what the future holds for him at Liverpool.

The Argentina midfielder told ESPN he was “very sad” earlier this month after Liverpool did not offer him a new contract. However, he chose to remain at Anfield during the summer despite having opportunities to leave.

Mac Allister had also been disappointed that Liverpool made contract offers to his midfield team-mates Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, while he did not receive a similar proposal.

“There is no definitive decision yet,” said the 27-year-old. “My contract still runs for another two years. As I have said, I will give everything I have. A lot can happen during this time and there are many options available.

“I hope it continues for more years, but if it is only two years, I will have to enjoy them with my family because I have no doubt that I am at one of the best clubs in the world.”

Argentina preparing for life after Messi

Mac Allister, who previously played for Brighton, said Argentina must become “stronger as a team” as they prepare for a future without their captain and record goalscorer.

“The words about Messi are always the same: gratitude, and the recognition that another player like him will never come along,” he said. “We have enjoyed our time with him enormously.

“We are also grateful to him for everything he helped us achieve in terms of trophies. His farewell will certainly be an extremely emotional moment.”

He added: “It will be a different process, with new players joining. We have to start accepting that the best player in the world, the player who made all the difference, will no longer be there, and that we will have to become stronger as a team. That will be the most important thing.”

Mac Allister was unequivocal when asked whether Messi could win this year’s Ballon d’Or at the age of 39.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said. “As Argentines, we want Messi to win it. He had an exceptional World Cup and I see no reason why he should not be given the award.

“It is also understandable that statistics play a major role these days, which was not as important in the past, and you do not know exactly what basis people use when they vote.

“But every candidate in contention is a great player and anyone who gets close to winning it deserves it. We all know that Leo always puts the team ahead of individual achievements, so it will not be a major problem for him.”

Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 international appearances.

Mac Allister will return to Liverpool duty against Manchester City at Anfield after the international break, on 11 October.