What a year it has been for Alexis Mac Allister.
Just 12 months ago, the 24-year-old was a relative unknown. In fairness, he had helped Brighton place ninth in the Premier League - their highest-ever finish - but few expected global superstardom from the Santa Rosa native.
Fast forward to the present and few football fans are unaware of the Argentinian maestro. Mac Allister has emerged as one of the top flight’s standout midfielders, helping the Seagulls improve on last season, going on to finish sixth - securing European football for the first time in the club’s history.