SMART ALEX IN MESSI HEAVEN

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER is desperate to help end Argentina’s own 36 years of hurt and deliver the nation and boyhood idol Lionel Messi the World Cup.

The Brighton midfielder, 23, heads to Qatar as a fully established Premier League star in a Seagulls side that continues to impress.

But all attention now switches to the Middle East, where Lionel Scaloni’s team have a friendly against the UAE before tackling Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico in Group C.

Mac Allister (left) feels he deserves to be in the same team alongside Messi, 35, the national icon he revered from a young age.

While Mac Allister’s father Carlos still flies the flag for Diego Maradona as the country’s greatest, Messi’s seven Ballon d’Or and four Champions League wins see him edge the contest for his son.

Mac Allister said: “I idolised Lionel Messi (inset) growing up. I always had this conversation with my father as he loved Maradona and played with him. But for me Messi is the best player in the world. “And it is amazing to now be team-mates and playing in the same side for Argentina. “We all know how important this World Cup is for Messi as it could be his last, and as a team we will do everything we can to lift that trophy for him.” Argentina head to Qatar on an astonishing 35-game unbeaten run – three shy of breaking Italy’s record in international men’s football.