Before Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, the sight of another Major League Soccer player lifting the World Cup trophy made a statement. Thiago Almada was part of the Argentina squad that went all the way in Qatar last year, becoming the first active MLS player to become a world champion. That said something about his potential, as did his performances for Atlanta United in 2023.
By Graham Ruthven, MLS Expert
Atlanta United only mustered a sixth place finish in the Eastern Conference this year and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, but Almada deserved more. He finished the regular season with 11 goals and 16 assists in 32 games (a twelfth goal came in that playoff), a tally that earned him the 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year award.
Almada might not play another MLS campaign. Several European clubs are circling the 22-year-old with Ajax, Napoli, and both Manchester clubs believed to be interested. This is the level Almada is destined for, and in a sense is already operating at for Argentina. He will be the next MLS youngster to make it big in European football.
Miguel Almirón established a precedent for South Americans to use MLS as a springboard. Signed by Atlanta United for a club-record fee, Almirón thrived for an expansion team that made a point of signing talented youngsters over ageing stars and ultimately earned a £21m transfer to Newcastle United that changed the league’s landscape.
Until then, MLS had been widely seen – at least by European eyes – as a retirement league. It wasn’t a viable destination for young talent, but Almirón proved it could be, attracting the attention of a Premier League club. If Almada follows a similar route, he will have his Paraguayan predecessor to thank in part.
Skilful and direct, Almada is a constant threat in the attacking third. He is a natural dribbler and has an eye for the spectacular – see his 35-yard freekick stunner against the Portland Timbers in March. Messi, one of Almada’s teammates at international level, is a fan. “He’s very fast and he has a lot of one-versus-one ability,” said Messi. “He’s very clever and he’s not afraid of anything. He goes at you.”
The comparison with Messi is a natural one. Like the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner, Almada is diminutive with a low centre of gravity. He likes to change direction quickly with the ball at his feet and does his best work in tight spaces. While Messi naturally starts out right before cutting inside, Almada starts on the left before doing the same centrally.
It’s easy to see why so many big European clubs are tracking a technically exceptional, tactically flexible, goal-dangerous youngster who is already a world champion, but has still to reach the top of the club game. Atlanta United are reportedly determined to keep Almada, but they recognise every player has a price.
“I can’t control what other teams offer us, but do I think he’s deserving of a record transfer? I do,” Atlanta United president Garth Lagerwey said about the interest in Almada earlier this year. “I think there’s objective numbers to support that.” The Five Stripes sold Almiron for a league-record fee nearly five years ago and they could get even more than £21m for Almada.
It’s in Atlanta United’s sporting and business model to buy and sell. They spend money to make money. Almada cost €15m from Velez Sarsfield with Luiz Araujo (€11.5m), Marcelino Moreno (€7m), Pity Martinez (€14.5m) and Esequiel Barco (€12m) also signed for a significant outlay. Some deals work out, others don’t. Almada could work out better than any Atlanta United player to date.
When the time comes to move on, Almada must join a club willing to build around him as Atlanta United have over the last two seasons. Ajax might have made sense a year ago, but the Dutch club is currently in a state of crisis while Napoli may also be on a downward trajectory after winning the Serie A title last season. At City and United, Almada would face a fight for game time. Manchester might not be the right place for him. The right place, and the right move, however, could propel Almada to the top.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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