Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder maestro Marcelo Allende has expressed his heartbreak as he continues to be overlooked by the Chilean national team.
Allende joined Sundowns in 2022 from Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay. The 27-year-old has since played 95 matches in the Sundowns colours and scored 11 goals. Allende captained the Chilean U-17 national team in the 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup. He finished as Chile’s top goalscorer with two goals.
He progressed and represented Chile in the U20 where he has 11 caps and in the Chilean senior side has one cap which he gained in 2021 before joining Sundowns.
Since joining Sundowns, Allende has never received a national team call-up despite winning three league titles and playing club international competitions every season.
After winning the CAF Champions League last season and recently the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup beating Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, there’s still no room for the diminutive attacker.
Speaking with the media, Allende explained that it is heartbreaking not to represent your country despite playing in some top club competitions.
“It’s something that makes me a little bit sad because I am really proud of where I come from,” he said.
“I really like to represent my country but it’s life, it’s football continue and I will always do my best.
“And I want to play my best football.”
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