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Thiago Almada

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Thiago Almada
Image
Almada with Lyon in 2025
Personal information
Full name Thiago Ezequiel Almada[1]
Date of birth (2001-04-26) 26 April 2001 (age 25)
Place of birth Ciudadela, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Atlético Madrid
Number 11
Youth career
2005–2006 Santa Clara
2006–2018 Vélez Sarsfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2022 Vélez Sarsfield 45 (10)
2022–2024 Atlanta United 77 (23)
2024–2025 Botafogo 17 (1)
2025 → Lyon (loan) 16 (1)
2025– Atlético Madrid 27 (3)
International career‡
2019 Argentina U20 6 (1)
2021–2024 Argentina Olympic 13 (7)
2022– Argentina 20 (5)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Image Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner2022 Qatar
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 4 July 2026

Thiago Ezequiel Almada (born 26 April 2001) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Argentina national team.

Almada was a member of the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making history by becoming the first active Major League Soccer player to win the tournament. He also won the 2024 Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Série A with Botafogo.

Early life

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Thiago 'Guayo' Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001, in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires in Argentina.[2] He grew up in the neighborhood Ejército de los Andes, also referred to as Fuerte Apache, which is known for high crime rates and prevalent drug use.[3] Almada spent many of his early years selling fruit and vegetables door-to-door to earn extra money. Much time was spent with his grandparents while his parents worked.[4]

Club career

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Vélez Sarsfield

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At the age of four, Almada played football for a local club, Santa Clara. He was picked up by Vélez Sarsfield at age five, where he made his way through the youth academy. On 10 August 2018, just four months after his 17th birthday, Almada made his professional debut against Newell's Old Boys in a 2-0 victory and scored his first two goals on 5 November in the 3-2 loss against Defensa y Justicia, both in the 2018 Argentine Primera División.[5][6] In October 2018, he was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2018".[7]

Atlanta United

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Signing and 2022 season

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On 4 December 2021, Vélez Sarsfield announced that it had reached an agreement with Major League Soccer club Atlanta United for the pre-transfer of Almada in February 2022.[8] The transfer, reportedly worth a league-record $16 million, was officially announced by Atlanta on 9 February 2022.[9][10] Almada was unveiled in the club's kit the next day in a welcome ceremony held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] His signing was met with scrutiny by Atlanta fans due to the use of a racially insensitive gesture with his eyes during a recent goal celebration; Almada apologized shortly after being asked about the situation.[12]

On 14 February, Almada made his official debut for Atlanta wearing number eight against C.D. Guadalajara during the team's preseason tour of Mexico. Atlanta would end up losing the match 3–0.[13] He made his MLS debut against expansion team Charlotte FC on 15 March as a substitute in Atlanta's 2–1 win.[14] Almada scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw with CF Montréal four days later. The goal won MLS Goal of the Week for Matchday 4.[15]

On November, he was awarded 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year after being chosen in the MLS Team of the Week five times, including back to back on 12 and 15 September, the second Atlanta United player ever to earn that prize.[16]

2023 season

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On 25 February 2023, Almada scored two goals (one of which was a free kick) in the first game of the 2023 season, helping Atlanta gain a 2–1 win over San Jose Earthquakes.[17][18] As a result, Almada was named MLS Player of the Week,[19] as well as being featured in the league's Team of the Matchday.[20]

Botafogo

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On 6 July 2024, Almada officially joined Botafogo, of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, signing a five-year contract. The deal reportedly commanded a fee of $21 million (€19,5 million) plus $9 million (€7,5 million) in add-ons; in the process, it broke the transfer record both for MLS and Brazilian football.[21] He scored his first goal for Botafogo in a 2-1 win against Corinthians for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.[22] In this short stint at Botafogo, Almada conquered the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and 2024 Copa Libertadores as one of the key players on the team.[23]

Loan to Lyon

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On 19 December 2024, Almada announced that he would join Ligue 1 side Lyon on 5 January 2025.[24] Lyon announced his arrival on 15 January 2025 as loan deal until 30 June 2025.[25]

Atlético Madrid

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On 15 July 2025, La Liga club Atlético Madrid announced an agreement with Botafogo for the transfer of Almada.[26]

International career

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Almada played for the Argentina under-20 squad in 2019, before featuring for the under-23 squad in 2021.

His debut in the Argentina national team came on 23 September 2022, in Miami, during a friendly match against Honduras.

In November 2022, Almada was officially called up to the Argentina World Cup squad to replace injured Joaquín Correa, only five days before Argentina's first game of the tournament.[27] He was a member of the squad that ultimately won the tournament, becoming the first active MLS player to win a World Cup.[28] In Argentina's final group stage game, he made his 2022 World Cup debut against Poland. He came on in the 83rd minute as a substitute of Alexis Mac Allister in which Argentina was victorious by 2–0.[29]

On 23 March 2023, Almada scored his first international goal for Argentina at the senior level during a friendly against Panama in his third appearance for the senior team, becoming the first-ever MLS-based player to score for the national team.[30]

Almada competed for Argentina at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[31]

On 27 May 2026, Almada was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[32]

Personal life

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Almada was reported for a case of alleged sexual abuse after a party in San Isidro, Buenos Aires that occurred on 4 December 2020. A 28-year-old woman stated that she was sexually abused whilst unconscious by Almada, along with Vélez central defender Miguel Brizuela and the former Argentino de Quilmes coach Juan José Acuña Delbene in a house rented by Juan Martín Lucero.

According to the victim's account, which was corroborated by a witness, she went up to one of the rooms in order to have consensual sex with Almada, but drank something that began to make her ill. Then, Brizuela and another woman entered the room and started to do various unconsented sexual acts to her. The victim stated that she had never wanted to include Brizuela, and that the three people continued even though she was screaming that she did not want anything to do with it.[33]

After the investigation became public, his club suspended both him and Miguel Brizuela.[34] A week after Almada was suspended, he was reinstated with the club stating, "substantial modifications were generated by virtue of the incorporation of new evidence, expertise and testimonies."[35]

In February 2021, Almada and Brizuela were charged with sexual abuse with the aggravating circumstances of carnal access and group abuse by prosecutor Laura Zyseskind. Acuña Delbene became a fleeing felon after being charged in December 2020, but was arrested at his home in Quilmes in July 2021,[36] while Almada and Brizuela are still awaiting sentencing by the Argentine court.

Despite the charges, Almada was called up by Lionel Scaloni to play for the Argentine national team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This decision sparked controversy in Argentina and led to widespread international criticism of AFA's decisions. The victim's attorney pointed out several irregularities in the case because, according to FIFA and AFA regulations, "a player is not allowed to be part of a national team if the team can certify that he has a pending criminal case."[37]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 May 2026[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vélez Sarsfield 2018–19 Argentine Primera División 1631041——214
2019–20 Argentine Primera División 224—102[c]1—255
2020–21 Argentine Primera División ———8[c]4—84
2021 Argentine Primera División 73—746[d]2—209
Total 451010125167—7422
Atlanta United 2022 MLS 29621———317
2023 MLS 311100——4[e]23513
2024 MLS 17600———176
Total 772321——428326
Botafogo 2024 Série A 17110—7[d]21[f]0263
Lyon (loan) 2024–25 Ligue 1 161——4[g]1—202
Atlético Madrid 2025–26 La Liga 27351—7[h]01[i]0404
Career total 182389212534106224357
  1. ↑ Includes Copa Argentina, U.S. Open Cup, Copa do Brasil, Copa del Rey
  2. ↑ Includes Copa de la Superliga
  3. 1 2 Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  4. 1 2 Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  5. ↑ Two appearances and one goal in Leagues Cup, two appearances and one goal in MLS Cup playoffs
  6. ↑ Appearance in FIFA Intercontinental Cup
  7. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  9. ↑ Appearance in Supercopa de España

International

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As of match played 3 July 2026[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina 202220
202321
202421
202562
202681
Total205
Argentina score listed first, score column indicates score after each Almada goal.
List of international goals scored by Thiago Almada
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
123 March 2023Estadio Mâs Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina3Image Panama1–02–0Friendly[40]
215 October 2024Estadio Mâs Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina6Image Bolivia4–06–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification [41]
321 March 2025Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay7Image Uruguay1–01–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification [42]
410 June 2025Estadio Mâs Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina10Image Colombia1–11–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification [43]
59 June 2026Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, United States16Image Iceland3–03–0Friendly [44]

Honours

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Botafogo

Atlético Madrid

Argentina

Individual

References

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  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Argentina (ARG)" (PDF). FIFA. 18 November 2022. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Thiago Almada". Atlanta United FC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  3. ↑ SeventhQueen (28 August 2019). "LN – The evil called Fuerte Apache, a neighborhood marked by stigmas". About Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 September 2021.[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ "Thiago Almada: Argentina's next great playmaker on Man City's radar". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Doblete de Thiago Almada: La joyita de Vélez empezó a dar sus frutos - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Thiago Almada, el centennial de Fuerte Apache que ilusiona a Vélez". 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "Next Generation 2018: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 11 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "La noche del 10" [The night of the 10] (in Spanish). Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield. 4 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Atlanta United acquires Thiago Almada from CA Vélez Sarsfield | Atlanta United FC". Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  10. ↑ "Thiago Almada to move to Atlanta United for MLS-record $16 million fee, Argentine club says". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "Atlanta United acquires Thiago Almada from CA Velez Sarsfield". Atlanta United FC. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  12. ↑ "Atlanta United newcomer Thiago Almada apologizes to Atlanta United supporters". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.[permanent dead link]
  13. ↑ "Thiago Almada debuts in Atlanta United's 3–0 defeat to Guadalajara, Dom Dwyer starts in 3–0 loss against Tepatitlan FC". Dirty South Soccer. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  14. ↑ Garcia, Samantha (13 March 2022). "Crónica del Partido: Atlanta United demostró su jerarquía contra Charlotte FC con marcador final de 2-1". atlutd.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "Thiago Almada's screamer wins MLS AT&T Goal of The Week for Matchday 4". Major League Soccer. 19 March 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  16. ↑ atlutd. "Thiago Almada Named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year | Atlanta United FC". atlutd. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  17. ↑ Booth, Chuck (26 February 2023). "Free kick excellence from Thiago Almada sees Atlanta United to an opening day victory". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  18. ↑ Schirru, Francesco (26 February 2023). "Almada superstar: dal Mondiale vinto alla doppietta d'oro nel primo match post Qatar". Goal.com (in Italian). Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  19. ↑ Robertson, Doug (28 February 2023). "Atlanta United's Thiago Almada voted MLS player of the week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (28 February 2023). "Team of the Matchday: Who shined brightest on MLS is Back weekend?". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  21. ↑ Redação (6 July 2024). "Botafogo anuncia contratação de Thiago Almada, campeão do mundo pela Argentina". Fogo na Rede (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  22. ↑ "Botafogo Vence o Corinthians com brilho de Almada e abre vantagem na liderança" (in Portuguese). CNN Brasil. 19 September 2024.
  23. ↑ BARROSO FURTADO, ENRICO. "O IMPACTO DA ECONOMIA NO FUTEBOL ARGENTINO EM COMPARAÇÃO AO FUTEBOL BRASILEIRO". Faculdades Catolicas.
  24. ↑ "Foot : Thiago Almada annonce son arrivée à l'OL le 5 janvier". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  25. ↑ "L'Olympique Lyonnais annonce l'arrivée de Thiago Almada" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais. 15 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "Acuerdo con el Botafogo para el traspaso de Thiago Almada" [Agreement with Botafogo for the transfer of Thiago Almada] (in Spanish). Atlético Madrid. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  27. ↑ Argentina national football team [@Argentina] (17 November 2022). "El futbolista Thiago Almada se suma a la convocatoria mundialista de Qatar 2022" [Thiago Almada has been added to the squad for Qatar 2022.] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ↑ Vertelney, Seth (18 December 2022). "Thiago Almada becomes first active MLS player to win World Cup". USA Today. Gannett. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "Thiago Almada reacts to historic World Cup debut with Argentina". 90min.com. 2 December 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  30. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (24 March 2023). "Thiago Almada scores for Argentina as Lionel Messi hits 800 career goals". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  31. ↑ "ALMADA Thiago". Paris 2024 Olympics. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024.
  32. ↑ "Messi headlines star-studded Argentina squad". 27 May 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  33. ↑ Grabia, Por Gustavo (9 February 2021). "Imputaron a los jugadores de Vélez Thiago Almada y Miguel Brizuela en la causa por abuso sexual". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  34. ↑ "Argentina's Velez suspends players charged with sexual abuse". AP NEWS. 9 February 2021. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Vélez Sarsfield reinstated Thiago Almada and Miguel Brizuela to the squad". La Pelotita (Wayback Machine). 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "Detuvieron al técnico de fútbol acusado de abusar sexualmente de una mujer en un asado junto a jugadores de Vélez". infobae (in European Spanish). 30 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Thiago Almada y una investigación por abuso sexual - Feminacida" (in Spanish). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  38. ↑ Thiago Almada at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  39. ↑ "Thiago Almada". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  40. ↑ "Argentina vs. Panama - 23 March 2023". Soccerway. 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  41. ↑ "Argentina vs. Bolivia - 16 October 2024". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  42. ↑ "Uruguay vs. Argentina - 22 March 2025". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  43. ↑ "Argentina vs. Colombia - 10 June 2025". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  44. ↑ "Argentina vs. Iceland - 9 June 2026". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  45. ↑ "Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad (3-4 on pens): Sociedad triumph to win fourth Copa del Rey title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  46. ↑ Murray, Scott (18 December 2022). "Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  47. ↑ "Atlanta United's Thiago Almada named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year". Major League Soccer. 25 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  48. ↑ "2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  49. ↑ "2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  50. ↑ "Atlanta United star Thiago Almada named MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  51. ↑ "Almada named 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year". Major League Soccer. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  52. ↑ "The team of the Tournament from this year's CONMEBOL #Libertadores!". Instagram. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  53. ↑ "Com sete jogadores, Botafogo domina Seleção da América de 2024". O Globo (in Portuguese). 31 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
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