Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende has spent his latest off-season with his name back on the lips of Chileans.
This was largely due to the fact that he was one of only six Chileans at the recently ended FIFA Club World Cup in USA.
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Allende played from start to finish in all three group matches for Sundowns.
This meant he was suddenly remembered back home in Santiago, where the local press has taken interest.
Some have claimed he could be returning to play in Chile, which has been dismissed, while there has also been focus on what he has done since making the switch to Chloorkop.
Sundowns have already exercised the option of a further two years on the 26-year-old’s contract.
Questions have been raised about his return to the national team, especially for the two dead rubber games remaining in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chile is the only South American country which cannot qualify for the World Cup in the CONMEBOL region, where Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil are already through.
La Roja have won only twice in 16 matches and now have Nicolas Cordova temporarily in charge.
Cordova – who has held various junior national team head coaching roles in Chile – is expected to take charge of the two remaining World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay in September.
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What gives Allende hope is that he is known to Cordova.
The Chileans will now turn focus towards preparing for the 2028 Copa America.
Allende has averaged 42 matches per season at Sundowns.
Photo: Sebastian Frej/Gallo Images
