Alexis Mac Allister cannot stop thinking about going to the World Cup with Argentina.

But he believes his progress with Albion can help take him to Qatar.

The Seagulls midfielder is starting his summer holidays after signing off for 2021-22 with a start for Argentina.

 

He helped his national team beat Estonia 5-0 in a friendly with Lionel Messi scoring all the goals.

Mac Allister has surprised observers back home with his adaption to a central midfield role.

He told Clarin.com: “At Brighton I’ve played in three midfield positions and even as a false nine.

“That is important for a player, to give options to the team and the coach.

“This season was a step forward for me. I’ve grown a lot.”

Mac Allister went close to joining Messi on the scoresheet in Pamplona when his shot from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide.

He is a believed to be a certainty for the initial list of 26 and stands a good chance of making the final 23.

Asked about the World Cup, he said: “The player thinks about it all the time because he wants to be there.

“But Lionel (Scaloni, coach) has been very clear.

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“Apart from Leo (Messi), we are all fighting for our place and that’s what we will do until the last day.

“I’m living a dream. We are close to a World Cup and all I’m going to do is keep working so, when that list arrives, I’m on it.”