Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende says he is enjoying life at the club and is targeting a return to the senior Chile national team after his performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Allende, 26, was one of the standout players for Sundowns in the United States of America, playing every minute of their campaign that unfortunately ended in the group stages as they finished one point behind Fluminense.
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It was a baptism of fire for the teams from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as all four exited at the group stage, with the key theme learning about efficiency of converting chances, separating the clubs at the elite level.
Allende says the experience was worth it, having been lured, as many of the South America, to Sundowns for the global event in North America in it’s first 32-team edition expansion.
“I enjoy playing with [Sundowns], we have an idea of how to play football and this for any player is important, keeping the confidence, this type of tournament was amazing, we were so happy to be here, and we deserved to be here,” he said.
“We didn’t go to the next round, but the level was high, we take this experience of playing here against big teams and it’s an experience for all of us, the players, the technical team and now it’s time to rest and think towards the future.”
Since joining the club in July 2025 from Uruguayan side City Torque in a deal worth a reported €2.9 million, he’s been an ever-present figure in the Sundowns starting line-up with 126 appearances to his name, scoring 10 goals with 12 assists his box-to-box role.
However, he’s yet to add to his single senior cap for the South American nation he earned against El Salvador at the age of 22 under then head coach Martin Lasarte.
“I hope, I hope [it attracts the national team selectors] it’s my dream you know, it’s a dream for every player who plays for the national team and now I wait, for them to take this decision, I don’t take it.”
So far Allende has only made one appearance for Chile, in a 1-0 win over El Salvador in December 2021. He was again in the squad in January 2022 but didn’t feature.
