Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada called up by Argentina for World Cup
Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada has been called up to the Argentina squad for the World Cup. Seleccion Argentina announced this following the injury to Joaquín Correa.
It is a fantastic achievement for him to join a squad which only has one other player who is not at a European club (the other being goalkeeper Franco Armani, of River Plate). Almada’s call-up is fantastic for MLS too, as it shows that you can play in the league and get noticed for one of the world’s top footballing nations.
Argentina’s squad has the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Julián Álvarez, which (in addition to their 2021 Copa America triumph) makes them one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar. Many World Cup winners have gone to MLS later in their careers, but no active MLS player has ever won the tournament, leaving Almada an opportunity to be the first.
Almada has just one cap for Argentina so far, which came in a 3-0 win over Honduras. He operated on the left wing in that game, but his main position is as an attacking midfielder and he can also play on the right. He is a very versatile player and someone Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni can rely upon, especially if his side continues to pick up injuries.
Thiago Almada will be at the World Cup with Argentina
The young phenom was on form last season, scoring six goals and creating seven assists in 29 matches. However, Atlanta had a disappointing season where they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and missed out on the playoffs by eight points.
Almada is only 21 years old but already is very experienced. He started his career at Santa Clara where a certain Carlos Tevez also played for in his youth. Velez Sarsfield was his first professional club, and he would go on to make 100 appearances for them with 24 goals and 10 assists.
His form in Argentina got him his move to Atlanta and, in total, he has played 31 games, scoring seven goals and seven assists. The Five Stripes are known for developing players – for example, Miguel Almiron earned his move to Newcastle United after three years at the club.
MLS is fast becoming a league where South American talent can flourish, players can get recognition and move to Europe. If Almada impresses at the World Cup with the January transfer coming so soon after he will definitely be in demand by Europe’s top clubs.
As much as Gonzalo Pineda would like to hang on to Almada and improve on last season. Atlanta is gaining a reputation as a club which can make players better, which will only attract more talent to the club. Much like Borussia Dortmund in Germany, young players will know they can develop there and use the club as a stepping stone to playing at a higher level.
Argentina’s first game is against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Atlanta and MLS fans will be tuning in to see if Almada gets any game time.