Kevin Mac Allister is preparing for Christmas away from the family: “It's calm in Belgium, compared to Argentina where we celebrated at 25 and all night long”

Kevin Mac Allister, the Argentinian of the Union: “On my leg, I have a tattoo in honor of my brother Alexis' world champion title”

This type of moment reminds us of the disadvantages of being an expatriate footballer.

“Our family is used to it as Alexis always plays at Christmas in England (Editor’s note: he has been playing there for five years). Last season, we celebrated the New Year there because it played on January 1st. This is something normal for us players. I have the best job and I can't complain, especially since I'm enjoying my time in Belgium. But I know how complicated it is for my partner, Tatiana, to be in another country where it is cold and where she doesn't know anyone. She's with me here and she's my best teammate, if I can say so. He misses the country and the family very much. Fortunately, his parents will stay until the 28th. We bought a Christmas tree last season for our apartment. In Argentina, the tradition is to do it on December 8… well, I think, it's always Tatania who reminds me.”

The overloaded Belgian calendar does not really allow you to return to South America.

“I would have liked, but it's not possible. Imagine the trip. There is no direct flight, it takes around 16-17 hours to return. Go there, why not; but you have to come back and be 'fit' on January 3 It's not possible with my partner to go see Alexis in England play at West Ham; (Editor’s note: in London) on the 29th and maybe he'll have two days off.”

How Kevin Mac Allister adapted his game to Europe… and his way of behaving with referees

What was it like to celebrate Christmas in Argentina?

“My family and that of my partner are large, with many brothers and sisters. So we go from a table of 25 people… to a table of six, here. In fact the history of our two families is a bit linked because our two fathers played together (Editor's note: Carlos Mac Allister was also a professional and Tatiana's father, Fernando Batista, is the current coach of Venezuela). Our families sometimes celebrated Christmas or went on vacation together. We've known each other for a very long time. The big difference is that in Argentina, we celebrate Christmas all night long. We sit down at the table around 10 o'clock in the evening, we eat, we drink, we also dance, perhaps until 5-6 o'clock in the morning. Here, I have the impression that at one o'clock in the morning there is no longer anyone waking up. It's much quieter here and in England. If you're in Argentina on the 24th, you'll hear music everywhere.”