Thiago Almada arrives at Atlético de Madrid as a signing to watch. The red-and-white club secured the Argentine international for around €21 million on a deal running until 2030. Let’s examine how he fits into Atlético’s system and whether this transfer represents good value.
Who is Thiago Almada?
Born in Buenos Aires on April 26, 2001, Thiago Ezequiel Almada is an Argentine attacking midfielder valued at €25 million. He is right-footed, stands 171 cm tall, and weighs 65 kg.
Almada began his career at Vélez Sarsfield, where he shone in the Argentine league before moving to the United States in 2022 to join Atlanta United. After two and a half years there, he transferred to Botafogo for around €24.5 million.
With Lyon under the same ownership group as Botafogo, led by John Textor, the French club brought Almada in on loan during the 2024 winter transfer window. In Ligue 1, he registered two goals and four assists across 21 appearances. His performances caught the attention of Atlético Madrid, who finalized his signing for €21 million. The question now: how will he fit into Diego Simeone’s plans after such a promising season in France?
A Very Complete Attacking Midfielder
Widely regarded as one of the jewels of the Argentine national team, Almada is a well-rounded attacking midfielder. He combines excellent passing, acceleration, and shooting with the main weakness being his physical presence in duels.
One of Almada’s standout qualities compared to other Ligue 1 midfielders is his pre-assists statistic (0.34 per game). This means he leads the French league in the average number of passes that precede a teammate’s assist for a goal. He may not always deliver the final pass himself, but he significantly improves attacking sequences through his technical fluidity—creating space, altering tempo, or retaining possession under pressure.
Another strong point is his progressive actions (10.68 per game). Almada constantly looks to move play forward, whether through passes or carries, always searching for the most direct route to goal. He also ranked fourth in Ligue 1 for shots per game among midfielders (1.88), underlining his tendency to arrive in advanced areas.
In addition, Almada excels at completed passes into the final third and vertical balls into space. His ability to switch play or deliver quick combinations is well-suited to an Atlético side that ranks second in La Liga for entries into the attacking third.
Despite only joining Lyon midway through the season, Almada still ranked 34th in average performance among Ligue 1 midfielders. Given more minutes, and considering he is still just 24, he could have climbed much higher.
An Influential Presence in the Opponent’s Half
Almada’s heatmap reveals a player who frequently drops deep into his own half to receive possession before driving into the attacking third. He is valuable in transitions thanks to his dribbling and passing range, and he thrives in situations where the team struggles to break lines in either half.
Additionally, being right-footed, Almada often drifts toward the left wing, allowing him to cut inside for passes, combinations, or triangulations with wide players before accelerating to bypass pressure.
His most common position is attacking midfielder, with a 69% probability of being deployed there. He can also operate from the left wing (23% probability), but in Atlético’s likely setup, he is expected to act as a central playmaker, with Álex Baena occupying the left flank as a more direct attacking option.
Transfer and Contract Details
Thiago Almada joins Atlético de Madrid from Botafogo for approximately €21 million, signing until 2030. Atlético holds 50% of Almada’s rights, with the other half still owned by the multi-club group that includes Lyon, Crystal Palace, and Botafogo. The Argentine star will earn close to €4 million per year, making him the 14th highest-paid player in the squad.
Barrios and Johnny’s Ideal Partner?
Almada’s more offensive profile could make him an excellent fit alongside Pablo Barrios and Johnny, both of whom are more defensively oriented. His creativity and forward-thinking play could help form a balanced and dynamic midfield trio.
One of La Liga’s Breakout Stars?
With his Argentine roots, Simeone’s guidance, and his already impressive quality, Thiago Almada is expected to make a strong impact at Atlético de Madrid. While time will tell how central his role becomes, early indications suggest he could be a key figure in helping Los Colchoneros challenge for silverware this season.