Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister grew up immersed in professional football. His father, Carlos Mac Allister, played alongside Diego Maradona for Boca Juniors and the Argentine national team. His uncle Patricio and older brothers Francis and Kevin also became professional players. In September 2025, Mac Allister and his partner Ailén Cova welcomed a daughter.

His roots stretch across Europe. The family surname traces to Charles McAllister, an 18th-century Scottish ancestor who converted to Catholicism and settled in Donabate, Ireland. In 1865, descendant Joseph McAllister emigrated from Ireland to Argentina. The family initially settled in Pergamino before moving to Santa Rosa. Mac Allister also holds Italian descent through his maternal grandmother, whose family originated in Belmonte del Sannio.

Mac Allister entered the youth academy of Argentinos Juniors after starting out at Club Social Parque at age five. He made his senior debut in October 2016 in the Argentine second division. That season ended in celebration. Argentinos Juniors won the 2016-17 Primera B Nacional title and earned promotion to the top flight. In November 2017, Alexis and his two brothers shared the pitch together during a league fixture against San Lorenzo.

Brighton & Hove Albion completed his transfer in January 2019 and immediately loaned him back to Argentinos Juniors. Later that year, he moved on loan to Boca Juniors, joining his brother Kevin. Mac Allister made an instant impression. He scored on his debut against Athletico Paranaense in the Copa Libertadores and helped Boca capture the 2019-20 Primera División title before Brighton recalled him in early 2020.

Mac Allister made his Brighton debut in March 2020 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Progress was steady. He netted his first Premier League goal with a 90th-minute equaliser against rivals Crystal Palace in October 2020. Over the next two seasons, his role expanded from an attacking player into a versatile central midfielder under managers Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi.

The 2022-23 campaign established him as Brighton's talisman. He finished as the team's top league scorer with ten goals. He also served as the primary penalty taker, converting a 99th-minute spot kick to beat Manchester United in May 2023. His contributions helped Brighton finish sixth and secure European qualification for the first time in the club's history.

In June 2023, Liverpool signed Mac Allister on a five-year contract. He became the seventh Argentine player in club history. In December 2023, he scored a 30-yard half-volley against Fulham, which was voted Liverpool's Goal of the Season. He collected his first trophy with the club two months later, starting in the 1-0 EFL Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

Under manager Arne Slot during the 2024-25 season, Mac Allister formed a regular deep-lying midfield partnership with Ryan Gravenberch. He scored in the Champions League against Real Madrid in November 2024. In April 2025, he scored against Tottenham Hotspur to seal Liverpool's Premier League title win. His performances earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

After playing for Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics, Mac Allister earned a recall to the senior national side in 2022. He started six matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In the final group game against Poland, he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win to secure qualification for the knockout rounds. In the final against France, he provided the assist for Ángel Di María's goal before Argentina won the tournament on penalties.

International success continued. Mac Allister featured prominently during the 2024 Copa América, supplying two assists across the tournament as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the final to retain their continental crown.