Alexis McAllister has revealed that Lionel Messi told his Argentine teammates to stop making fun of his red hair.
The Brighton midfielder was referred to as Ginger by La Albiceleste teammates after his call-up to the team in the summer of 2019.
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Mack Allister – son of former Boca Juniors star Carlos – took exception to the surname, so Messi demanded the team stop using it.
He told The Athletic: “I trained with him twice when I was on the Argentine team, but I didn’t play with him.
“It was fantastic, as he trains in the matches. It’s something you can’t believe.
“I remember everyone calling me ‘colo,’ which is ginger in Argentina.
“I don’t like it much and he told teammates.
“He said, ‘He doesn’t like being called a colo, so don’t tell him that!'”
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23-year-old Mack Allister was called up to the Argentina squad in August 2019 and made his debut against Chile the following month.
But the Seagulls star was more nervous about meeting seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi than making his country debut.
He said of his first meeting with the PSG ace: “I was red, completely red.
“I didn’t even want to say hello. I was also really nervous to meet one of the best players in the world, but it was fantastic, for sure.
“It’s something I won’t forget. It was magic when my dad played with Maradona and I could train with Lionel Messi.
“We’re very proud of it.”
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Mack Allister has yet to return to the Argentina squad and currently has two appearances for his nation to his name.
The midfielder has made 20 appearances for Brighton in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing four assists for Graham Potter.
Mack Allister and his Brighton team-mates will be back in action for a week on Saturday, traveling to north London to take on Tottenham.
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