Tickets would have been at an absolute premium at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday as Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina.

The 39-year-old, who lifted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, bowed out on the international stage one final time, with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister getting front-row seats for his legendary teammate’s final international outing.

Mac Allister started in the middle of the park as Argentina beat Benin 3-0, with Argentine media outlet TyC giving every player a rating of 10/10 because of Messi.

Nonetheless, this is what the rest of the Argentine media had to say about Mac Allister’s performance in Messi’s final game for his country.

While the international break has given the likes of Florian Wirtz a chance to reset, Liverpool now look set to face Man City without some key stars. Has the international break helped or hindered the Reds and why?

Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak look set to miss the game against Man City 🙃

Alexis Mac Allister gets mixed reviews after Argentina beat Benin

Every player, bar three, including Messi, was subbed during this friendly encounter, as Mac Allister earned himself around 79 minutes of action.

Argentine outlet Bolavip Argentina gave the Liverpool man the highest rating, 7/10, explaining that he was ‘the best’ midfield player.

Mac Allister played in a midfield three alongside former Atletico star Rodrigo De Paul and Manchester City’s big-money signing Enzo Fernandez.

Bolavip Argentina added that Mac Allister was also ‘very active’ in his creative play, and he linked up well with the retiring Messi on the night.

La Página Millonaria gave Mac Allister a rating of 6/10, explaining that he ‘wasn’t involved’ as much in the opening 45 minutes, but ‘impressed’ during the second period.

Their critique of the Liverpool man was that he ‘didn’t have a great night’ as a central midfielder, struggled defensively and was ‘caught out of position’ at times.

Agencia Noticias Argentinas were even harsher because they handed Mac Allister 5/10 for his display, claiming that he went ‘unnoticed’ in the middle of the park.