Mac Allister’s Messi Remark Leaves Liverpool Fans Stunned
When Alexis Mac Allister sat down for a brief interview this week, no one expected him to drop a comment that would send Liverpool supporters into disbelief. The Argentine midfielder—one of the few players in Europe with a close, first-hand understanding of Lionel Messi thanks to their time together with Argentina—was asked a seemingly simple question: Who is the closest thing to Messi you have ever played with?
Instead of naming a current superstar, instead of pointing to a teammate at Liverpool, instead of recalling a colleague from Argentina’s World Cup squad, Mac Allister mentioned a completely unexpected name: Luis Díaz, the Colombian winger Liverpool sold to Bayern Munich this past summer.
That single answer ignited huge debate across Merseyside and beyond. Because hearing Díaz’s name placed anywhere near Messi’s is no small gesture. Messi is widely regarded as the greatest of all time, a once-in-a-lifetime player. So when a World Cup winner like Mac Allister suggests that Díaz carries even a fraction of that magic, the entire football world takes notice.
A Record-Breaking Summer Overshadowed by a Big Departure
Liverpool have just come through one of the most extraordinary transfer windows in their history. They broke the Premier League transfer record twice in a matter of weeks, signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a combined £241 million. With other additions such as Hugo Ekitike, the club’s total outlay neared an astonishing £450 million.
Naturally, the headlines were focused on the new arrivals and how manager Arne Slot planned to reshape his squad. But behind all the excitement, one major outgoing transfer stood above the rest: Luis Díaz’s move to Bayern Munich.
Díaz, who joined from FC Porto in January 2022, had become a beloved figure at Anfield. His fearless dribbling, electric footwork, relentless energy, and knack for scoring big goals made him a fan favourite. He helped Liverpool win every domestic trophy available and enjoyed his best season yet during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last year.
But the summer of 2025 brought complications. His contract talks stalled, and when Bayern arrived with a £65.5 million bid, Liverpool—already targeting younger, long-term pieces like Wirtz and Isak—felt compelled to accept. Díaz also believed the time was right for a new challenge. Bayern offered a leading role, a fresh league, and wages Liverpool would not match.
Few expected his name to be linked to Messi just months later.
Mac Allister Explains the Messi Comparison
Mac Allister clarified his reasoning in the interview. When asked who most reminded him of Messi, he said:
“I think Dembele when we played PSG away—he was unbelievable at that time. And I’d put Lucho up there too, Luis Díaz. It was really tough to mark him, even in training. I had to give him a few tackles.”
Those comments revealed just how highly he rated Díaz. Facing him every day in training, Mac Allister struggled to cope with his sharp turns, quick touches, and unpredictable movement. And if someone used to competing with the world’s best attackers says Díaz caused him that much trouble, people understand why he placed him in such elite company.
Díaz Thrives in Germany, Liverpool Flourish Without Him
In Munich, Díaz has wasted no time proving his worth. With three goals and two assists in his first four Bundesliga games, he has instantly become one of Vincent Kompany’s most dangerous attacking weapons. German media already call him “unstoppable.”
Back on Merseyside, reactions are mixed. Some supporters quietly wonder whether selling him was a mistake. Others point to Liverpool’s perfect start under Slot—wins in every competition so far—and argue the decision was justified. The new signings are bedding in, results are excellent, and the club’s long-term plan still looks strong.
Liverpool’s structure has shifted. Cody Gakpo began the season on the left, though his form has dipped. Hugo Ekitike has burst out of the gates with three goals in five games, prompting discussion about whether he could permanently claim the left-wing role once Isak is fully fit to lead the line. A future front three of Ekitike, Isak, and Salah—with Wirtz operating behind them—is already thrilling fans.
From a strategic point of view, Liverpool’s decision remains defensible.
But Emotion Cannot Be Sold for £65 Million
Still, football is not a sport ruled only by logic and planning. For many Liverpool fans, Díaz represented far more than goals and assists. His story, his passion, his joy on the pitch—those things stay in supporters’ hearts long after a transfer decision is made.
Mac Allister’s Messi comparison taps directly into that emotional side. He wasn’t saying Díaz is Messi. He was speaking about the sensations Díaz gives defenders: the sudden bursts of speed, the fear he creates in tight spaces, the unpredictability that makes players hesitate. Only a handful of players in the world carry that kind of aura. Messi did. Díaz, at his best, reminded Mac Allister of that same spark.
Two Clubs, One Narrative: Who Was Right?
Ironically, Díaz is now doing in Germany exactly what he once did at Anfield. Bayern fans adore him already, just as Liverpool fans once did. He looks comfortable following in the footsteps of wingers like Robben and Ribéry.
For Vincent Kompany, he is a gift.
For Arne Slot, he is a test—proof that Liverpool can evolve successfully without him.
Every match this season quietly fuels the debate:
- If Díaz continues to flourish at Bayern, critics will say Liverpool let a star slip away.
- If Liverpool lift trophies again, they will say Slot and the board chose wisely.
The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. Both parties may end up benefiting.
A Sentence That Will Be Remembered
But Mac Allister’s remark will stay in the minds of Liverpool fans. Every time Díaz dribbles past two defenders or scores a brilliant goal for Bayern, those Messi comparisons will echo. They will remind supporters of the Colombian who once dazzled Anfield and carried a touch of magic that few players possess.
And maybe, in the end, that is the lesson of this summer:
Football evolves, squads change, new eras begin… but the moments that make fans dream stay forever.
Luis Díaz gave Liverpool those moments.
And with one unexpected sentence, Alexis Mac Allister ensured people will never forget it.
