One of the most exciting young players in soccer is getting ready to join one of Europe’s top clubs! On Tuesday, Atletico Madrid, a famous soccer team in Spain, confirmed they have made a deal with Botafogo, a team from Brazil, to sign Thiago Almada, a talented 24-year-old midfielder from Argentina.
Let’s break this news down in a way that’s easy to understand — and fun too! We’ll talk about who Almada is, what this deal means, and give you some cool soccer facts along the way.
Who is Thiago Almada?
Thiago Almada is a soccer player from Argentina, the country of Lionel Messi. He was born on April 26, 2001, in a place called Ciudadela, near Buenos Aires. Almada grew up in a tough neighborhood, but he worked hard and became a pro soccer player thanks to his amazing skills on the ball.
He started his career with Vélez Sarsfield, an Argentine team known for developing young talent. People quickly noticed that Almada was fast, creative, and could score goals from distance. He mostly plays as a midfielder, which means he helps control the game, pass the ball, and create goal-scoring chances.
Here’s a cool fact:
In 2022, Almada became the first active Major League Soccer (MLS) player to win a FIFA World Cup! He was part of the Argentina national team that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Even though he didn’t play much, it was still a huge achievement.
Where Has Almada Played?
Before joining Botafogo, Almada played for:
Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina)
Atlanta United (USA, in Major League Soccer)
While at Atlanta United, Almada became one of the top players in the entire league. He scored 13 goals and made 16 assists in the 2023 MLS season. That’s a big number — not many midfielders can do both jobs (scoring and assisting) so well!
Then, in 2024, he made a surprising move to Botafogo, a top team in Brazil, which is famous for developing stars like Garrincha and Jairzinho. Even though Almada just arrived there, Botafogo agreed to send him to Europe after a short time.
What’s the Deal With Atletico Madrid?
Atletico Madrid, often called “Atleti,” is one of the biggest soccer clubs in Spain and Europe. They are based in Madrid, the same city as Real Madrid, and play at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium.
The team is known for being very strong in defense, very organized, and never giving up. Their head coach, Diego Simeone, has been with them since 2011 — that’s super rare in professional soccer!
Atleti has won:
11 La Liga titles (Spanish league)
10 Copa del Rey trophies (Spanish cup)
3 UEFA Europa League titles
3 UEFA Super Cups
They also reached the Champions League final three times in recent years (2014, 2016, and 1974) but were unlucky not to win.
Atletico has had many amazing players, like:
Antoine Griezmann
Fernando Torres
Diego Forlán
Jan Oblak
João Félix (who was loaned out)
And now, Thiago Almada is going to be part of that legacy.
The Transfer Deal: What Does It Mean?
The transfer deal between Atletico Madrid and Botafogo is pretty interesting. Here’s how it works:
Atletico Madrid will pay €21 million (about $23 million USD)
They are buying 50% of Almada’s economic rights
That means Almada is now co-owned by Atletico and Botafogo’s owner group
The total value of Almada was said to be around €40 million
The transfer is still not 100% complete, because Almada must pass a medical test and sign the contract. But if all goes well, he’ll sign a 5-year deal with Atletico Madrid.
This kind of shared ownership is unusual in European soccer, but it’s becoming more common with certain business groups involved in multiple clubs. The person who owns Botafogo, John Textor, also has stakes in other teams like Lyon (France) and Crystal Palace (England).
Why Atletico Wants Almada
Atletico Madrid is always looking for creative players who can add something special. Almada’s speed, passing, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability make him a great fit.
Here are some of the reasons Atleti is excited:
Almada is young (24 years old), with lots of potential
He already has World Cup experience
He can play in multiple positions (midfield, winger, or attacking mid)
He has strong free-kick and long-shot abilities
He works hard — something Coach Simeone demands
Almada could be used to support players like Griezmann or play just behind the main striker. Atleti sometimes struggles to break down defensive teams, and Almada could help with that.
Soccer Facts to Know
A transfer fee is the amount of money one club pays another to sign a player under contract.
Players usually sign contracts for 3 to 5 years with options to extend.
A player’s medical examination checks for injuries or health problems before signing.
La Liga is one of Europe’s top 5 soccer leagues, along with the English Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.
Argentina is one of the most successful national teams ever, with 3 FIFA World Cups (1978, 1986, 2022).
What Happens Next?
If everything goes smoothly, Almada will officially join Atletico Madrid this summer and might start training with the team before the 2025–26 La Liga season begins.
Fans will be watching closely to see how he adjusts to European soccer. It’s a big step up from MLS and Brazil, but Almada has shown that he’s ready for the challenge.
This move is also exciting for Argentina fans, who love seeing their young stars shine on the world stage. Who knows — maybe Almada will become the next big thing in La Liga!
Final Thoughts
Thiago Almada’s journey from the streets of Buenos Aires to one of Spain’s top teams is inspiring. He’s worked hard, proved himself in Argentina, the U.S., and Brazil, and now he’s set to take on Europe.
Atletico Madrid fans have a lot to be excited about. And for young soccer fans watching around the world — this is a great example of how talent, hard work, and belief can take you all the way to the top.
Keep an eye on Thiago Almada. His story is just getting started.
