The name Marcelo Allende is back breathing again in Chile as Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for a season which will end with participation at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Allende is into his third season at Sundowns and throughout that time has found himself being ignored for selection into the Chilean senior squad regardless of his club form.
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However, following La Roja's poor run at the 2024 Copa America, where they came stuck in the group stage, Allende's hopes could be revived.
With their disappointing show at the Copa tournament, Chile have dropped down to 43 on the FIFA rankings and will have Ricardo Gareca making other considerations for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Allende has worked his socks off at Sundowns since arriving from Uruguayan club Montevideo City Torque in the hope of getting back into the Chilean national team.
The 25-year-old has been capped at senior level and was captain of Chile at the 2019 South American U20 Championships.
This makes his name relevant in Chile and has in recent weeks been mentioned several times as one of the players that Gareca should consider.
What has been mentioned as giving him weight is that his club – Sundowns – will play at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, for which Chilean clubs have slim chances of qualification.
The only passage to the USA tournament will be for Colo-Colo – who are through to the Last 16 – to win the Copa Libertadores, which is unlikely considering it last happened in 1991.
A former PSL player from South America says he is surprised that Allende has not been recalled since joining Sundowns.
"The selectors shouldn't undermine Allende because he is playing in a league just as competitive as that of Chile, if not better.
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"Plus, Sundowns plays Champions League football every season and will be at the Club World Cup next year.
"The selectors should open their eyes wide," he says, though preferring to remain anonymous.