World Cup: Argentina midfielder urges teammate to draw inspiration from Maradona ahead of England clash
Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has called on his teammates to draw motivation from the legacy of Diego Maradona as they prepare to face England in their 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The highly anticipated encounter in Atlanta renews one of football’s biggest rivalries, which reached its peak during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
During that tournament, Maradona scored both goals in Argentina’s famous quarter-final victory over England — including the controversial “Hand of God” goal and a remarkable solo strike widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.
Argentina went on to win the 1986 tournament and later lifted the trophy again in 2022, with Lionel Messi leading the team and Mac Allister playing a key role.
“I don’t know if it’s just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the ’86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them,” Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister told reporters on Tuesday.
“Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986,” added Mac Allister, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona for Argentina and at Boca Juniors.
The 27-year-old praised Maradona’s unique talent, describing his ability as something that separated him from others.
“He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things…. Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that.”
Wednesday’s semi-final will be the first World Cup meeting between Argentina and England since 2002, with Argentina aiming to reach their second consecutive final and third in four tournaments.
Mac Allister also suggested that England had not displayed their usual Premier League intensity during the 2026 tournament so far.
“I don’t know if it’s to do with the heat, the climate or something else,” he said. “But obviously they are a great team who we greatly respect.”
He added that the semi-final would likely be a highly competitive contest filled with pressure and emotion.
“I imagine tomorrow’s game will be played with a lot of intensity and obviously plenty of jitters on both sides.”