Marcelo Allende's FIFA Club World Cup showings spark renewed Chile dream

The 26-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, who once earned comparisons to Alexis Sanchez in Chile's youth ranks, is now using his platform at Sundowns to catch the eye of national team selectors once again.

His performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, despite Sundowns' early exit, offered a timely reminder of his quality on a global stage.

Allende featured in every minute of Masandawana's group campaign in the US, where they narrowly missed out on the knockout stages, finishing behind Brazilian giants Fluminense by a single point.

While all four African sides fell at the first hurdle, the former City Torque star believes the experience will benefit the team in the long run.

"We played against some of the best in the world, and while we didn't qualify, we gained something bigger - perspective and belief," Allende told iDiski Times.

"This was a world-class stage, and we belonged."

Since his high-profile arrival in July 2025, Allende has made 126 appearances for Sundowns, contributing 10 goals and 12 assists in a box-to-box role that has become vital to Rulani Mokwena's system.

Yet, despite his consistency, he remains on the periphery of Chile's national team - still stuck on just one senior cap earned in 2021.

"It's still my dream. I can't decide, but I hope my performances speak loud enough. Playing for your country is everything," he said.