For Marcelo Allende, the journey from South America to the vibrant footballing heart of Tshwane was always about more than just club success; it was a determined quest to reignite a deeply personal dream.
The 26-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, once heralded in Chile’s youth ranks with comparisons to the legendary Alexis Sanchez, is now leveraging his prominent platform at Sundowns to capture the attention of his national team selectors once more.
Allende’s recent performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, despite Sundowns’ unfortunate early exit, served as a potent reminder of his undeniable quality on a global stage.
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He was a central figure for Masandawana, featuring in every minute of their group campaign in the United States. Although they narrowly missed out on the knockout stages, finishing just a single point behind Brazilian giants Fluminense, Allende’s influence was clear.
While all four African representatives exited the tournament at the first hurdle, the former City Torque star firmly believes the experience will be a long-term benefit for the entire Sundowns squad.
“We played against some of the best in the world, and while we didn’t qualify, we gained something bigger – perspective and belief,” Allende shared with iDiski Times, emphasizing the invaluable lessons learned. “This was a world-class stage, and we belonged.”
Since his high-profile arrival in July 2022, Allende has become an indispensable cog in Coach Rulani Mokwena’s system. He’s made an impressive 126 appearances for Sundowns, contributing 10 goals and 12 assists from his dynamic box-to-box midfield role.
Despite this consistent club form and his crucial contributions, he remains on the periphery of the Chilean national team, still stuck on just one senior cap earned back in 2021.
However, Allende’s ambition remains undimmed. “It’s still my dream. I can’t decide, but I hope my performances speak loud enough. Playing for your country is everything,” he stated, reaffirming his deep desire to represent his nation on the international stage.
His showings at the Club World Cup have undoubtedly put him back in the spotlight, and he’ll be hoping they’re enough to finally earn him a more regular place in the Chilean squad.