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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Argentina World Cup winner gives Co Antrim village extra reason to celebrate

A County Antrim village has extra reason to celebrate after watching Argentina lift the World Cup on Sunday evening.

The South American side, inspired by legendary captain Lionel Messi, came out on top following a thrilling final against France.

Messi scored twice while French striker Kylian Mbappe bagged a hat-trick as the game finished 3-3 after extra-time.

Read more: Argentina win World Cup Final thriller - 8 talking points from the game

Argentina held their nerve from the spot to claim a 4-2 penalty shootout victory, sparking wild scenes of celebration as Messi strengthened his case to be called the greatest of all time.

Another star for Argentina was Alexis Mac Allister, who played six games during the World Cup including Sunday's final.

Many football fans have been asking how someone with a name like Mac Allister is playing for Argentina, and it has emerged that the Brighton midfielder has roots in County Antrim.

Former GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail recently claimed that the footballer's family originated in Cushendall before moving to the village of Donabate, outside Dublin.

It is understood Mac Allister's great-great-grandfather left Donabate for South America in 1868, while his father Carlos was also a footballer who played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, and played three times for Argentina.

Ó Fearghail recently posted a photo of himself with Mac Alister's cousin Ricardo 'Dickie' Mac Allister, who is a former president of Buenos Aires Hurling Club based in the city of Hurlingham.

The BBC also caught up with some residents in Cushendall who voiced their pride at Mac Allister's association with their village.

Shop owner Dominic McAlister said: "Seemingly there is a connection with one of the players from Argentina. It's been the talk of the town over the last week or two weeks.

"At the start everyone thought it was a bit of a wind-up but it's genuine now. A lot of boys have googled it and seemingly his family originally came from Cushendall.

Lionel Messi and Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina celebrate going 3-2 up in extra time (Getty)

"They left Cushendall in the late 1700s, early 1800s apparently - his great, great, great ancestors. It's been the whole talk, so we have been watching, wondering if we are connected in any way.

"You take the McAlisters out of Cushendall there wouldn't be many left, to be honest with you. There's a bit of a buzz. If he wins we'll have to go out and celebrate.

"[Getting him to Cushendall] could happen, stranger things have happened."

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