Thiago Almada

Thiago 'Guayo' Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001, in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires in Argentina. He grew up in the neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache, which is known for high crime rates and prevalent drug use.{{Cite web |last=SeventhQueen |date=28 August 2019 |title=LN – The evil called Fuerte Apache, a neighborhood marked by stigmas |url=https://basi-spanish.com/ln-the-evil-called-fuerte-apache-a-neighbourhood-marked-by-stigmas/ |access-date=23 September 2021 |website=About Argentina |language=es-AR}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Thiago Almada: Argentina's next great playmaker on Man City's radar |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/thiago-almada-argentina-playmaker-man-city/1si536etb6tmx1fnyui4xivyom |access-date=23 September 2021 |website=Goal.com |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310173424/https://www.goal.com/en/news/thiago-almada-argentina-playmaker-man-city/1si536etb6tmx1fnyui4xivyom |url-status=live}}

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. In August 2018, just four months after his 17th birthday, Almada made his professional debut with the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/futbol/thiago-almada-centennial-fuerte-apache-ilusiona-velez_0_BJpvTo2B7.html |title=Thiago Almada, el centennial de Fuerte Apache que ilusiona a Vélez |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117232954/https://www.clarin.com/deportes/futbol/thiago-almada-centennial-fuerte-apache-ilusiona-velez_0_BJpvTo2B7.html |url-status=live}} In October 2018, he was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2018".{{cite web |date=11 October 2018 |title=Next Generation 2018: 60 of the best young talents in world football |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/oct/11/next-generation-2018-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football |work=The Guardian |accessdate=12 October 2018 |archive-date=10 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810004249/https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/oct/11/next-generation-2018-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football |url-status=live}}

Almada began his first-team career as a wing forward under manager Gabriel Heinze. He played alongside Matías Vargas, Nicolás Domínguez, Lucas Robertone, and Fernando Gago. In his first two years with Heinze at the helm, Almada appeared in 46 matches and tallied nine goals.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} In 2020, new club manager Mauricio Pellegrino moved Almada to the midfield, due to the departure of several players in that position. Almada then earned 15 goals in 42 matches.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

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.{{Cite web |date=4 December 2021 |title=La noche del 10 |trans-title=The night of the 10 |url=https://velez.com.ar/futbol/notas/2021/12/04/020350_la-noche-del-10 |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield |language=es |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925235758/https://velez.com.ar/futbol/notas/2021/12/04/020350_la-noche-del-10 |url-status=live}} The transfer, reportedly worth a league-record $16 million, was officially announced by Atlanta on 9 February 2022.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta United acquires Thiago Almada from CA Vélez Sarsfield | Atlanta United FC |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-acquires-thiago-almada-from-ca-velez-sarsfield-argentina |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209153908/https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-acquires-thiago-almada-from-ca-velez-sarsfield-argentina |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Thiago Almada to move to Atlanta United for MLS-record $16 million fee, Argentine club says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4184594/2021/12/03/thiago-almada-to-move-to-atlanta-united-for-mls-record-16-million-fee-argentine-club-says/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The New York Times |language=en |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926001300/https://theathletic.com/news/thiago-almada-to-move-to-atlanta-united-for-mls-record-16-million-fee-argentine-club-says/AQD2XO3jL8bx/ |url-status=live}} Almada was unveiled in the club's kit the next day in a welcome ceremony that was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=10 February 2022 |title=Atlanta United acquires Thiago Almada from CA Velez Sarsfield |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-acquires-thiago-almada-from-ca-velez-sarsfield-argentina |access-date=15 February 2022 |publisher=Atlanta United FC |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209153908/https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-acquires-thiago-almada-from-ca-velez-sarsfield-argentina |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |date=11 February 2022 |title=Atlanta United newcomer Thiago Almada apologizes to Atlanta United supporters |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united/almada-apologizes-to-atlanta-united-supporters/ |access-date=15 February 2022 |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=en}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 14 February, Almada made his official debut for Atlanta wearing the number 8 against C.D. Guadalajara during the team's pre-season tour of Mexico. Atlanta would end up losing the match 3–0.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2022 |title=Thiago Almada debuts in Atlanta United's 3–0 defeat to Guadalajara, Dom Dwyer starts in 3–0 loss against Tepatitlan FC |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2022/2/13/22931878/atlanta-united-loses-3-0-to-c-d-guadalajara-in-preseason-friendly/ |access-date=15 February 2022 |publisher=Dirty South Soccer |language=en |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215140613/https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2022/2/13/22931878/atlanta-united-loses-3-0-to-c-d-guadalajara-in-preseason-friendly/ |url-status=live}} He made his MLS debut against expansion team Charlotte FC on 15 March as a substitute in Atlanta's 2–1 win.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Almada scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw with CF Montréal four days later. The goal would end up winning the MLS Goal of the Week contest for Matchday 4.{{Cite web |date=19 March 2022 |title=Thiago Almada's screamer wins MLS AT&T Goal of The Week for Matchday 4 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/thiago-almada-s-smasher-wins-mls-week-4-at-t-goal-of-the-week |access-date=22 April 2022 |publisher=Major League Soccer |language=en |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426013841/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/thiago-almada-s-smasher-wins-mls-week-4-at-t-goal-of-the-week |url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Chuck |date=26 February 2023 |title=Free kick excellence from Thiago Almada sees Atlanta United to an opening day victory |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/free-kick-excellence-from-thiago-almada-sees-atlanta-united-to-an-opening-day-victory/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=CBS Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226101938/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/free-kick-excellence-from-thiago-almada-sees-atlanta-united-to-an-opening-day-victory/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Schirru |first=Francesco |date=26 February 2023 |title=Almada superstar: dal Mondiale vinto alla doppietta d'oro nel primo match post Qatar |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/almada-argentina-mls-dove-gioca-atlanta/bltaabceacddd632aac |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Goal.com |language=it-IT |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226103546/https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/almada-argentina-mls-dove-gioca-atlanta/bltaabceacddd632aac |url-status=live}} As a result, Almada was named MLS Player of the Week,{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Doug |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Atlanta United's Thiago Almada voted MLS player of the week |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united/atlanta-uniteds-thiago-almada-voted-mls-player-of-the-week/X2PPSTPY35F6HHYXHCN57MDSRY/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228222540/https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united/atlanta-uniteds-thiago-almada-voted-mls-player-of-the-week/X2PPSTPY35F6HHYXHCN57MDSRY/ |url-status=live}} as well as being featured in the league's Team of the Matchday.{{Cite web |last=Sigal |first=Jonathan |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Team of the Matchday: Who shined brightest on MLS is Back weekend? |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-who-shined-brightest-on-mls-is-back-weekend |access-date=February 28, 2023 |work=Major League Soccer |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309154011/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-who-shined-brightest-on-mls-is-back-weekend |url-status=live}}

On 6 July 2024, Almada officially joined Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Botafogo,{{Cite web |date=6 July 2024 |title=Atlanta United Transfers Thiago Almada for MLS-record Transfer Fee to Eagle Football |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-transfers-thiago-almada-for-mls-record-transfer-fee-to-eagle-football |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Atlanta United FC |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706225625/https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-transfers-thiago-almada-for-mls-record-transfer-fee-to-eagle-football |url-status=live}} signing a five-year contract with the club;{{Cite web |date=6 July 2024 |title=ALMADA CHEGOU |url=https://www.botafogo.com.br/noticias/almada-chegou |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas |language=pt-BR |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706184836/https://www.botafogo.com.br/noticias/almada-chegou |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=6 July 2024 |title=Botafogo anuncia a contratação de Thiago Almada |url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/botafogo/noticia/2024/07/06/botafogo-anuncia-a-contratacao-de-thiago-almada.ghtml |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=ge |language=pt-BR |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707014149/https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/botafogo/noticia/2024/07/06/botafogo-anuncia-a-contratacao-de-thiago-almada.ghtml |url-status=live}} 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 the MLS, and the Brazilian league.{{Cite web |last=Redação |date=2024-07-06 |title=Botafogo anuncia contratação de Thiago Almada, campeão do mundo pela Argentina |url=https://fogonarede.com.br/botafogo-anuncia-contratacao-de-thiago-almada-campeao-do-mundo-pela-argentina/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Fogo na Rede |language=pt-br}}

On 19 December 2024, he announced that he would join Ligue 1 side Lyon on 5 January 2025.{{Cite web |title=Foot : Thiago Almada annonce son arrivée à l'OL le 5 janvier |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Thiago-almada-annonce-son-arrivee-a-l-ol-le-5-janvier/1527460 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}} Lyon announced his arrival on 15 January 2025, as loan deal until 30 June 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.ol.fr/fr/actualites/l-olympique-lyonnais-annonce-l-arrivee-de-thiago-almada|title=L’Olympique Lyonnais annonce l’arrivée de Thiago Almada|date=15 January 2025|publisher=Olympique Lyonnais|lang=fr}}

Almada played for the Argentina under-20 squad in 2019, before featuring for the under-23 squad in 2021.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

His debut in the Argentina national team came on 23 September 2022, in Miami, during a friendly match against Honduras.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In November 2022, Almada was officially called up to the Argentinian World Cup squad to replace injured Joaquín Correa, only five days before Argentina's first game of the tournament.{{cite tweet |number=1593352407299153920 |user=Argentina |title=El futbolista Thiago Almada se suma a la convocatoria mundialista de Qatar 2022. |author=Argentina national football team |author-link=Argentina national football team |date=17 November 2022 |access-date=17 November 2022 |language=es |trans-title=Thiago Almada has been added to the squad for Qatar 2022.}} He was a member of the squad that ultimately won the tournament, becoming the first active MLS player to win a World Cup.{{cite web |last1=Vertelney |first1=Seth |title=Thiago Almada becomes first active MLS player to win World Cup |url=https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2022/12/18/almada-become-first-active-mls-player-to-win-world-cup/ |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |access-date=23 January 2023 |date=18 December 2022}} In Argentina's final group stage game, he made his 2022 World Cup debut against Poland. He came on in the 86th minute as a substitute of Alexis Mac Allister in which Argentina was victorious by 2–0.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Thiago Almada reacts to historic World Cup debut with Argentina |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/thiago-almada-reacts-historic-world-cup-debut-argentina |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=90min.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324151921/https://www.90min.com/posts/thiago-almada-reacts-historic-world-cup-debut-argentina |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |last=Sigal |first=Jonathan |title=Thiago Almada scores for Argentina as Lionel Messi hits 800 career goals |website=mlssoccer |date=24 March 2023 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/thiago-almada-scores-for-argentina-as-lionel-messi-hits-800-career-goals |access-date=23 April 2024 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130114252/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/thiago-almada-scores-for-argentina-as-lionel-messi-hits-800-career-goals |url-status=live}}

In February 2021, Almada was identified as a person of interest by local authorities after a party in San Isidro, Buenos Aires on 4 December 2020. A 28-year-old woman said several people sexually abused her in a house rented by Juan Martín Lucero. After the investigation became public, his club suspended both him and Miguel Brizuela.{{Cite web |date=9 February 2021 |title=Argentina's Velez suspends players charged with sexual abuse |url=https://apnews.com/article/buenos-aires-argentina-soccer-thiago-sexual-abuse-9dacbd266ed17eb82208f22ab885feeb |access-date=23 September 2021 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923175628/https://apnews.com/article/buenos-aires-argentina-soccer-thiago-sexual-abuse-9dacbd266ed17eb82208f22ab885feeb |url-status=live}} 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."{{Cite web |date=16 February 2021 |title=Vélez Sarsfield reinstated Thiago Almada and Miguel Brizuela to the squad |url=https://lapelotita.com/2021/02/16/velez-sarsfield-reinstated-thiago-almada-and-miguel-brizuela-to-the-squad/ |access-date=23 September 2021 |website=La Pelotita (Wayback Machine) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116115213/https://lapelotita.com/2021/02/16/velez-sarsfield-reinstated-thiago-almada-and-miguel-brizuela-to-the-squad/ |archive-date=16 November 2021 |language=en-US}}

{{updated|match played 17 May 2025|{{Soccerway|thiago-almada/555904|access-date=12 October 2018}}}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 10 June 2025|{{NFT player|88718|access-date=28 September 2022}}}}

:Argentina score listed first, score column indicates score after each Almada goal.

Botafogo

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2024
• Copa Libertadores: 2024

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup: 2022{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Scott |date=18 December 2022 |title=Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/dec/18/argentina-france-world-cup-2022-final-live |access-date=18 December 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510020540/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/dec/18/argentina-france-world-cup-2022-final-live |url-status=live}}

Individual

• MLS Newcomer of the Year: 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-s-thiago-almada-named-2022-mls-newcomer-of-the-year |title=Atlanta United's Thiago Almada named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year |date=25 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |publisher=Major League Soccer |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327172347/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-s-thiago-almada-named-2022-mls-newcomer-of-the-year |url-status=live}}
• MLS All-Star: 2023{{cite news |title=2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2023/news/2023-mls-all-star-team-roster |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=18 July 2023 |date=7 July 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627180642/https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2023/news/2023-mls-all-star-team-roster |url-status=live}}
• MLS Best XI: 2023{{cite web |title=2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2023-mls-best-xi-presented-by-continental-tire |website=Major League Soccer |date=28 November 2023 |access-date=28 November 2023 |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101013208/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2023-mls-best-xi-presented-by-continental-tire |url-status=live}}
• MLS Player of the Month: February/March 2023{{cite news |title=Atlanta United star Thiago Almada named MLS Player of the Month |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-star-thiago-almada-named-mls-player-of-the-month |date=30 March 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |publisher=Major League Soccer |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330204827/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-star-thiago-almada-named-mls-player-of-the-month |url-status=live}}
• MLS Young Player of the Year: 2023{{cite news |title=Almada named 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-s-thiago-almada-named-2023-mls-young-player-of-the-year |date=6 November 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023 |publisher=Major League Soccer |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101041311/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-s-thiago-almada-named-2023-mls-young-player-of-the-year |url-status=live}}
• Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament: 2024{{Cite web |date=6 December 2024 |title=The team of the Tournament from this year's CONMEBOL #Libertadores! |url=https://www.instagram.com/thelibertadores/p/DDQmEGFNZiq/-the-team-of-the-tournament-from-this-years-conmebol-libertadores-easportsfc/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=Instragram |language=en}}
• South American Team of the Year: 2024{{Cite web |date=31 December 2024 |title=Com sete jogadores, Botafogo domina Seleção da América de 2024|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/noticia/2024/12/31/com-sete-jogadores-botafogo-domina-selecao-da-america-de-2024.ghtml |access-date=31 December 2024 |website=O Globo |language=pt}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{MLS player}}
• {{Olympics.com profile|thiago-almada}}
• [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/thiago-almada_1929998 Thiago Almada] at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
• {{Olympedia}}
• {{COA profile|8342-almada-thiago}}

{{Olympique Lyonnais squad}}

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