Marcelo Allende’s Sundowns success earns rare recognition in Chile

Marcelo Allende’s achievements with Mamelodi Sundowns are finally attracting significant attention in Chile after the midfielder helped the club win the MTN8.

Allende celebrated on the podium on Saturday as Sundowns lifted the trophy, adding the MTN8 to the six other honours he has won since joining the South African club.

His latest success has prompted growing interest in Chile, where there is now renewed speculation that he could feature for Sundowns at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December before making a significant career move in June.

Chilean mainstream sports outlet En Cancha gave prominent coverage to Allende’s achievement over the weekend, reflecting an increased focus on a player who has received limited recognition from his home country despite his sustained success in Africa.

The 27-year-old has averaged 44 appearances across each of the past four seasons, an impressive record for a midfielder. He has also played all 13 of Sundowns’ matches so far this season.

Since Cardoso was appointed on December 10, 2024, Allende has featured in 93 of the 101 games overseen by the Sundowns coach.

That level of consistency has come alongside a series of major achievements. Allende represented Sundowns at the FIFA Club World Cup, helped them win the CAF Champions League and the African-Asian-Pacific Cup, and is due to play in the Challenger Cup.

Sundowns could also reach the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in December.

Despite those accomplishments, Allende has not been selected for Chile since arriving at Sundowns in July 2022. The continued absence from the national team is thought to be one of the factors behind his consideration of a move when his contract expires at the end of June next year.

Allende has one senior international cap, earned while he was playing for Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay. However, he has remained part of the wider conversation around Chile’s national team because of his previous involvement at youth level.

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

The midfielder’s form has therefore created a contrast between his standing at Sundowns and his limited opportunities internationally. While his club career has brought regular appearances and a growing collection of trophies, Chile’s selectors have yet to include him in the senior squad since his move to South Africa.

The attention from En Cancha following the MTN8 triumph suggests that his performances are now being noticed more widely in Chile, as Sundowns pursue further success in the coming months.