Thank you, Alexis: A letter to Mac Allister

Dear Alexis, What a season it has been, for you and Brighton & Hove Albion. A World Cup winner’s medal to cherish forever, helping Brighton reach Europe for the first time in their history, and now joining a club with nine European trophies, a world championship and 19 top-flight domestic titles. You featured in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Anfield in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as Brighton’s head coach last October, the 3-0 demolition of Jurgen Klopp’s team in the league at the Amex Stadium in January, and also helped knock holders Liverpool out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 home win in the fourth round 15 days later. You made your Brighton debut as an 80th-minute substitute in a 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2020 — the club’s final game before the COVID-19 global pandemic shut down the Premier League for three months. Last time out against Leicester… 💥🎯 pic.twitter.com/v6uOn5sVJl — Brighton & Hove Albion January 19, 2023 I know how much you appreciated Brighton granting you extra time off to enjoy the post-World Cup celebrations in Argentina with family and friends, which coincided with your birthday, and the fuss the club made when you returned to a hero’s welcome at their training complex in Lancing early in the new year.