Who is Thiago Almada? The record-breaking magician outshining Messi in MLS

Updated: 26 Oct 2023 12:16 BST
4 min read

Thiago Almada, Atlanta United, Lionel Messi, Inter Miami — © ProShots

Thiago Almada has emerged as one of South America's best talents and is ready to take the next steps in a career that has been on a steep upward trajectory for years.

Since breaking through at Velez Sarsfield as a teenager, Almada has gone from strength to strength and has been a target of some major European clubs.

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A favourite for many Football Manager players, Thiago Almada became a World Cup winner with Argentina aged just 21 and after being dubbed "the next Lionel Messi" in his youth, he has been outshining the real one in Major League Soccer in 2023.

But who is this Argentine talent and how good is he really?

What position does Thiago Almada play in?

Thiago Almada plays primarily as a No.10, adept at scoring and creating goals. He can also play in wide forward roles.

That man Thiago Almada 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DacMHzW7oT
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 27, 2023

How good is Thiago Almada?

Being called the next Lionel Messi would give a fair indication of the talent and promise shown by a young player. After making his debut as a teenager, Almada very quickly became a first-team regular at Velez in the Argentine first division.

He also very quickly debuted for the Argentinian youth teams, playing seven times for the Under-20 side before moving on to the Under-23s. In 2021, he made two appearances at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

He received his first call-up to the senior Argentina national team in 2021 and was on the plane to Qatar the following year. Though the youngster only made a six-minute cameo as the Albiceleste claimed football's grandest prize, he can call himself a World Cup winner.

As an attacking midfield player, his first thought on the ball is always how he can create a chance for either himself or one of his teammates to score. He is a gifted dribbler and an exceptional passer, but he also has brilliant quality to finish himself in front of goal, capable of using either foot and shooting from distance.

Almada is an intelligent mover on and off the ball, arriving in the right spaces at the right times to make things happen going forward. After making the switch to Atlanta United in 2022 in an MLS record deal worth €14.6 million, the youngster quickly established himself as one of the league's best talents.

While the real Messi has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving at Inter Miami, the next Messi has been arguably just as - if not more - special for an unimpressive Atlanta team. In the 2023 regular season, Almada posted 11 goals and 16 assists in 31 outings, prompting the Five Stripes' CEO Garth Lagerway to say that the 22-year-old deserves to become MLS's record sale.

THIAGO. ALMADA. 🚀🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/tI7CyT11ER
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 2, 2023

Which clubs are interested in Thiago Almada?

Prior to his move to MLS, Manchester United, Man City and Liverpool were all linked with the youngster, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also credited with an interest.

In the summer, Ajax emerged as a potential destination. If Almada performs in the playoffs like he did in the regular season, the likes of Man Utd and Barcelona will come knocking again.