Thiago Almada

Thiago Almada Biography: Argentina’s World Cup Attacking Star

Article Summary

Thiago Almada is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Argentina national team. Born in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires, on 26 April 2001, Almada came through the youth ranks at Vélez Sarsfield, making his senior debut in 2018 at just 17. He moved to Atlanta United in 2022, making history as the first active Major League Soccer player to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He joined Botafogo in 2024, winning the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão Série A, before moving to Europe with Lyon on loan and then signing for Atlético Madrid in July 2025. At the 2026 World Cup, Almada has been a key squad member as Argentina reached the semi-finals. He married Antonella D’Alotta in December 2024. His net worth is estimated at approximately $8-12 million.

Table of Contents

  • Early Life and Background
  • Club Career
  • International Career
  • Major Achievements
  • Personal Life
  • Latest News
  • Upcoming Events
  • Recent Awards
  • Career Timeline
  • Career Statistics
  • FAQs
  • Key Takeaways
  • Conclusion

Quick Facts Table

FactDetail
Full NameThiago Ezequiel Almada
Born26 April 2001
BirthplaceCiudadela, Buenos Aires, Argentina
NationalityArgentine
Age25 (as of 2026)
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
PositionAttacking Midfielder / Winger
Current ClubAtlético Madrid
Jersey Number11
Preferred FootRight
SpouseAntonella D’Alotta (m. 2024)
Net WorthEstimated $8-12 million

Full Biography

Early Life and Background

Thiago Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He grew up in the neighborhood of Ejército de los Andes, also known as Fuerte Apache, an area notorious for high crime rates and prevalent drug use.

Almada’s journey into football began at a very young age. He joined the youth ranks of Santa Clara in 2005 before moving to Vélez Sarsfield in 2006 at just five years old. He spent 12 years developing in Vélez’s academy system, honing his skills as an attacking midfielder.

Thiago Almada

Club Career

Vélez Sarsfield (2018-2022)

Almada made his first-team debut for Vélez Sarsfield on 10 August 2018, aged just 17, in a 2-0 victory over Newell’s Old Boys. In the 2018-19 season, he made 21 appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

He went on to make 100 appearances for the Buenos Aires club, scoring 10 goals in 45 league appearances, before departing for MLS.

Atlanta United (2022-2024)

In early 2022, Almada joined Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. Over two and a half seasons, he scored 26 goals and provided 24 assists in 83 appearances. He made 77 league appearances, scoring 23 goals.

Botafogo (2024-2025)

In the summer of 2024, Almada moved to Brazilian club Botafogo. During his time in Brazil, he won both the Brasileirão Série A and the Copa Libertadores in the same year. He made 17 league appearances and scored one goal.

Lyon (Loan, 2025)

In the winter transfer window, Almada made the leap to Europe, spending the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Lyon. He made 16 league appearances and scored one goal.

Atlético Madrid (2025-Present)

On 18 July 2025, Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Thiago Almada on a five-year contract until 2030. Atlético paid a reported fee of €21 million for 50% of his economic rights.

In the 2025-26 season, Almada has made 27 league appearances, scoring three goals. He has 4 goals and 2 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

International Career

Youth Level

Almada represented Argentina at the U20 level in 2019, making six appearances and scoring one goal. He also played for the U23 team from 2021 to 2024, making 13 appearances and scoring seven goals.

Senior Debut

Almada made his senior debut for the Argentina national team under Lionel Scaloni on 23 September 2022 in a 3-0 friendly win over Honduras.

2022 FIFA World Cup

Almada was a member of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He made history by becoming the first active Major League Soccer player to win the tournament.

2024 Copa América

Almada was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2024 Copa América.

2026 World Cup

Almada was selected for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad. He featured in the quarter-final against Switzerland, coming on as a substitute. After the dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory, Almada spoke about the team’s mentality: “This World Cup is crazy; we are used to suffering.” He added that Argentina’s true power lies in their close bond and brotherhood. As of June 2026, he has earned 19 caps and scored 5 goals.

Major Achievements

Atlanta United

Botafogo

Argentina National Team

Individual

  • First active MLS player to win a FIFA World Cup (2022)

Personal Life

Almada was previously in a relationship with Alanis Poza. In early 2024, he began a relationship with influencer Antonella D’Alotta. The couple made their relationship public in February 2024. They married in December 2024. Almada is 25 years old and stands at 1.71 meters (5 feet 7 inches).

Latest News

As of July 2026, Thiago Almada is competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. He featured as a substitute in the quarter-final victory over Switzerland on 11 July 2026, which sent Argentina to the semi-finals. He has spoken about the team’s mentality, stating that Argentina are “accustomed to suffering” and that the team’s goal is to “seek glory.”

Upcoming Events

EventDetails
2026 FIFA World Cup Semi-FinalArgentina vs England

Recent Awards

YearAwardResult
2024Copa AméricaWon (with Argentina)
2024Copa LibertadoresWon (with Botafogo)
2024Brasileirão Série AWon (with Botafogo)
2022FIFA World CupWon (with Argentina)

Career Timeline

YearEvent
2001Born in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2005-2006Played for Santa Clara youth team
2006Joined Vélez Sarsfield’s youth academy at age 5
2018Made senior debut for Vélez Sarsfield at age 17
2022Joined Atlanta United in MLS
2022Made Argentina debut on 23 September
2022Won World Cup with Argentina
2024Married Antonella D’Alotta in December
2024Joined Botafogo; won Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão
2025Loaned to Lyon; signed for Atlético Madrid
2026Selected for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad

Career Statistics

ClubSeasonsLeague AppsGoalsNotes
Vélez Sarsfield2018-20224510100 total appearances
Atlanta United2022-2024772383 total appearances
Botafogo2024-2025171Won Copa Libertadores
Lyon (loan)2025161Loan spell
Atlético Madrid2025-Present27339 total appearances

International Caps: 19 (as of June 2026) | International Goals: 5

FAQs

How old is Thiago Almada?
Thiago Almada was born on 26 April 2001 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires, Argentina, which makes him 25 years old as of 2026.

What is Thiago Almada’s net worth?
Thiago Almada’s net worth is estimated at approximately $8-12 million as of 2026. His market value is estimated at €15-27 million.

Which club does Thiago Almada play for?
Thiago Almada plays as an attacking midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid. He joined the club in July 2025 on a five-year contract until 2030.

Has Thiago Almada won the World Cup?
Yes. Almada was a member of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first active MLS player to win the tournament.

Is Thiago Almada going to the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Almada was selected for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad and featured in the quarter-final victory over Switzerland.

What is Thiago Almada’s height?
Thiago Almada stands at 1.71 meters (5 feet 7 inches).

What trophies has Thiago Almada won?
Almada has won the FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa América (2024), Copa Libertadores (2024), and Brasileirão Série A (2024).

Is Thiago Almada married?
Yes. Almada married influencer Antonella D’Alotta in December 2024.

What is Thiago Almada’s position?
Thiago Almada plays as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is right-footed but can play on either flank.

What is Thiago Almada’s market value?
As of 2026, Almada’s market value is estimated at €15-27 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Key Takeaways

  • Thiago Almada is an Argentine attacking midfielder born on 26 April 2001 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires.
  • He began his career at Vélez Sarsfield, making his debut at 17, before moving to Atlanta United in 2022.
  • He made history as the first active MLS player to win the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
  • He joined Botafogo in 2024, winning the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão Série A.
  • He signed for Atlético Madrid in July 2025 on a five-year contract.
  • He was selected for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad and helped the team reach the semi-finals.
  • He married Antonella D’Alotta in December 2024.
  • His net worth is estimated at approximately $8-12 million.

Conclusion

Thiago Almada’s journey from the tough streets of Fuerte Apache to the biggest stages in world football is a story of raw talent, determination, and historic achievement. From his early days at Vélez Sarsfield to becoming the first active MLS player to lift the World Cup, Almada has consistently defied expectations. His move to Botafogo saw him conquer South America, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirão Série A in the same year. Now, at Atlético Madrid, he is continuing his development under Diego Simeone while representing his country on the world stage. At just 25 years old, with a growing family and a career that continues to ascend, Thiago Almada is a name that will be remembered in Argentine football for years to come.

Read More: Giuliano Simeone Biography: Argentina’s Rising World Cup Star

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