Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that star midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been given two weeks off after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.
After watching on from the substitutes' bench as Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening group-stage match, Mac Allister started the next six matches in centre-midfield and helped inspire the South American giants to their first world title since 1986.
The 23-year-old scored his first international goal in the 2-0 group-stage win over Poland before providing an assist for Angel di Maria in Sunday's World Cup final against France, which finished 3-3 after 120 minutes before Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties.
Mac Allister, who has recently been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, became the first-ever Brighton player to start in a World Cup final and he is also the first Seagulls star to get his hands on the most prestigious prize in football.
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Mac Allister has since returned to his homeland with the rest of his Argentina teammates to celebrate their success in Buenos Aires, and Brighton boss De Zerbi has confirmed that the midfielder has been granted time off to be with his family.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Brighton's EFL Cup fourth-round clash away at Charlton Athletic, De Zerbi said: "It's important that he has a moment of rest to enjoy with his family.
"After one month of the World Cup where he has had to be strong because of the pressure and emotion, he needs a break. We will use other players while he is away."
Mac Allister has been a standout performer for the Seagulls so far this season, scoring five goals in 14 Premier League appearances, but he will now miss the club's final three games of 2022, including Wednesday's clash against Charlton at The Valley.
The midfielder is also scheduled to miss Brighton's next two Premier League matches away against Southampton on Boxing Day and at home against leaders Arsenal on New Year's Eve.
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De Zerbi and the vast majority of his Brighton squad spent time in Dubai during the World Cup break, and the Italian boss has since outlined how he plans to shape up for Wednesday's clash with Charlton.
"I would like to start the game with the players who trained in Dubai, but there are a few like Moises [Caicedo] (who represented Ecuador at the World Cup) who are able to be in the starting XI," the 43-year-old added.
"I want to give Billy Gilmour the chance to show what he can do, Julio Enciso and Levi Colwill are the same. Deniz Undav scored two goals against Villa (in a 2-2 friendly draw) in Dubai and is in a good moment. I have to give everyone an opportunity."
De Zerbi has also confirmed that Brighton will be without striker Danny Welbeck and centre-back Adam Webster on Wednesday as they continue to recover from minor injuries sustained in the friendly draw with Villa, although both player "won't be missing for too long".
Brighton, who stunned Arsenal to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup third round last month, will be looking to progress beyond the fourth round for the first time since 1978-79 when they face Charlton, who currently sit 18th in League One.
Oliver Thomas
