Alexis Mac Allister has opened up on the emotional dressing-room scenes after Argentina's World Cup win as the new Liverpool man reflected on the leadership shown by captain Lionel Messi in Qatar.
Mac Allister, who signed a five-year deal with the Reds earlier this month after his £35m release clause was triggered at Brighton & Hove Albion, helped Argentina to their first World Cup success since 1986 when they beat France at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18.
In what was something of a classic final, Argentina were pegged back from two goals up by a Kylian Mbappe double before Messi scored his second of the match from the penalty spot in extra time.
Paris Saint-German superstar Mbappe struck from 12 yards himself to make it 3-3 in Qatar before Mac Allister's side bested les Bleus on penalties to secure their status as world champions for the third time.
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Mac Allister started the game and crafted an assist for Angel di Maria on the day and speaking to TV Publica in his homeland, the Reds' new No.10 detailed the emotion he and his national colleagues were feeling immediately after the game.
"I remember many members of the coaching staff crying, it was an emotional talk in which there was not much to say either," Mac Allister revealed. "We knew more or less how we had to play them [before the game] because we had worked on it for several days.
"But yes, what came to us most as players and as people was the talk they gave us and thinking about everything that had happened, the four years of the journey, the process. It was a very emotional talk, sometimes we laughed because (manager) Leo Scaloni cries a lot, when he cries he cannot speak, he gets very emotional and made others talk a little, Walter Samuel, the whole coaching staff talked a little and it was a nice moment as a group, to live it."
On Messi, Mac Allister added: "I think Leo is how he is seen too, at that time he showed a lot of tranquility, and that's where I always say that they as players are experienced, he, Fideo (Angel Di María), Nicolas Otamendi, are players who help us a lot.
"It is not even necessary for them to talk, to see how they prepare, with the desire and motivation that they manage, we can already see that we have to continue on that path and if we get behind them, we are doing well.
"Usually Leo is the one who grabs the word, there was like an island in the middle of the locker room, we all got around and there Leo started to talk a little. It helps all the players and gives confidence to be able to feel comfortable within this place and within the team. I think as a leader and captain it's a very great virtue that he has.
"In the final I think Dibu (Emiliano Martinez) started crying a little, it was all very emotional, very nice. Seeing Leo is what we have left, being next to the best player in the world, the best in history, is to see that you are going to go out on the pitch with 10 people who are like your family."
Mac Allister was part of the Argentina squad that beat Indonesia 2-0 in Jakarta earlier this week and the midfielder will now head off for a summer break before reporting for pre-season duty with the Reds next month.
