MLS
Will Thiago Almada be called up for Argentina’s Copa América roster?
The Atlanta United forward was named in the MLS Best XI for 2023 but his performances have tailed off amid talk of a transfer to Europe.
For much of 2023, Thiago Almada looked destined to become the next South América star to make a big-money move from MLS to Europe.
The playmaker contributed 11 goals and 16 assists last season, marking him out as one of the league’s top performers. He was a part of the Argentina team that lifted the World Cup in 2022, becoming the first active MLS player to be crowned world champion.
This season however both he and Atlanta have struggled to replicate their 2023 form. Almada has scored just three goals, two of which were penalties, and provided one assist in 11 matches this season. He missed Atlanta’s recent draw with Nashville due to a calf injury and was not included in Argentina’s roster for the upcoming friendlies ahead of next month’s Copa América.
Will Thiago Almada represent Argentina this summer?
With just a month to Argentina’s Copa América opener against Canada, it looks unlikely that Almada will force his way back into the national team picture. He has made four appearances for the senior team but is facing competition for places from some of the world’s top players, including Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Angel Di Maria.
Argentina’s Copa América roster must be confirmed by 12 June, giving Almada precious little time to return from injury and convince Scaloni that he is deserving of a place.
If he does not make the Copa América squad he could represent Argentina at the Olympics in France. Now 23, Almada is in his final year of eligibility for Argentina’s under-23 squad. He has a good relationship with head coach Javier Mascherano but would have hoped to nail down a place in the senior squad by this point in his career.
Thiago Almada faces a make-or-break summer
In recent years Almada has been the subject of interest from a number of top European clubs, including Atlético Madrid and Ajax. Speaking at the end of the 2023 MLS campaign he admitted that he wants a move to Europe and feels that he is ready to test himself at a higher level.
“I want to leave, I want to go play in Europe. I feel like leaving now,” Almada told ESPN last December. “If I have to choose, I would like to play the Premier League or the Spanish league, but either”.
If he is to make it to the elite of European soccer Almada needs a return to his 2023 form. His talent is undeniable but failure to make the Copa América roster, along with a recession in his MLS performances, could dissuade teams from making a move this summer.
His injury is not thought to be serious and he could even be back in the team for this weekend’s fixture. Atlanta’s next two games see them take on LAFC and Inter Miami, two of the league’s strongest teams. Starring performances in these games could help get Almada’s season back on track and provide fresh impetus for his promising young career.