Lionel Messi once left Alexis Mac Allister 'shaking' with Brighton star now close to joining Liverpool

Lionel Messi once left Alexis Mac Allister 'shaking', with the Brighton star now on the verge of joining Liverpool.

It has been quite the year for Mac Allister, who has experienced an almighty rise to prominence in the last 12 months.

The 24-year-old started the year as a World Cup winner, helping Argentina defeat France in the final.

He has since gone from strength to strength, playing a key role in Brighton's incredible campaign, in which they finished sixth in the Premier League, booking their place in next season's Europa League.

His form soon caught the eye of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who has made it his mission to sign the midfielder this summer.

A move to Anfield looks to be all but guaranteed now, with Mac Allister having have agreed a five-year deal with the Reds, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

"Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, here we go! Full agreement completed on the contract - understand it will be valid until June 2028. Five year deal. #LFC," tweeted Romano on Monday.

"Liverpool will pay the buy out clause in the next days, way less than reported £60m fee. Medical tests in 24/48h. Done."

But rewind to 2019, when Mac Allister was just making his way at Boca Juniors, and he was left starstruck upon meeting his idol, Messi.

Messi left Mac Allister 'shaking'

Speaking ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, the Seagulls midfielder recounted the first time he met Messi after being called up for November 2019.

At just 20-years-old, Mac Allister admitted he was “shaking” before meeting the footballing legend.

“I was so nervous, my hands were shaking,” he told CNN. “I'm a really shy guy, so yeah, I was really nervous. But then you realise how humble he is. At that moment, I was playing at Boca Juniors, so we had arrived from Argentina to [play] I think it was Spain for a friendly.

“And we arrived, and he was having dinner. I went to the table and said hello with my hands shaking. I was sweating. But it was an amazing moment. He's my idol. He's the best football player in the world.”