How Atlanta United Shaped Thiago Almada's Rise to the World Stage

Thiago Almada celebrating a goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2023. (photo: Sofia Cupertino)

In 2022, Atlanta United star Thiago Almada became the first active MLS player to win the World Cup as he represented Argentina in Qatar. Four years later, the now Atlético Madrid man was back in the States to challenge for a second time as an established member of the squad. Argentina fell short of defending their title, after a loss in the final to Spain, but it was clear to see just how far Almada has come since his time at Atlanta.

When the well sought after winger Thiago Almada arrived in Atlanta in the winter of 2022, many raised eyebrows and questioned why he had turned down moves to Europe to play Major League Soccer. Despite his unconventional path to stardom, Almada has become a regular figure in one of international football's strongest nations.

When Almada signed for Atlanta United he had a lot of expectation after becoming the club's record signing with a $16 million fee. While at Atlanta, Almada instantly became a vital part of the side and won MLS Newcomer of the Year in his first season. That winter, he joined Lionel Messi and Argentina for the World Cup in Qatar, and although he made just one appearance, he returned to Atlanta as a World Cup winner.

The Argentine winger is one of those players that you must watch to really appreciate. He is a true entertainer with his creativity, his flair, and his willingness to try things others wouldn't is the reason he gets people up out of their seat week in week out. He was trusted at Atlanta; players gave him the ball and backed him to create. Every week he came to perform, the field was his stage, and the MLS was his platform to showcase his skills. The stats, although very good, don't do him justice.

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Almada, who is nicknamed 'Guayo' in Argentina, followed up his successful first season in Atlanta, with an even better second season. His 19 assists, and 11 goals were enough to get his name in the MLS Best XI and his hands on the MLS Young Player of the Year trophy. It was common knowledge that Atlanta were not going to be able to hold onto him for long, and he left Atlanta, Georgia for Botafogo, Brazil with 23 goals, and 30 assists to his name along with the MLS record sale fee. Since leaving he has continued to develop, helping Botafogo win the Brazilian Serie A title and Copa Libertadores, before getting his move to Europe, where he spent time on loan in Lyon, before his big move to Atlético Madrid.

Even before establishing himself in one of Europe's elite leagues, Almada had become a trusted player under Lionel Scaloni, and still at the young age of 25, will no doubt continue to be indispensable for Argentina. One of the reasons managers love him is because his creativity and flair come without sacrificing the pressing and the work rate that many Maverick midfielders often lack. While moving onto bigger stages in football, Almada still plays the same way he did when he shined for Atlanta several years ago.

During this World Cup in the States, Almada was able to return to a place he called home, as Argentina played twice in the Mercedes-Benz stadium, and although he didn't get to feature against Egypt or England, he remained still a fan favorite with the Atlanta locals, who haven't yet forgotten just how amazing he was for them.

His success in Qatar will always be a landmark moment for Atlanta United, but his return to the World Cup in 2026 could say even more about the way Atlanta helped develop the winger. In 2022, he was more of a surprise inclusion in the squad, but now, four years after arriving in MLS with questions surrounding his decision, Almada returned to the world's biggest tournament not as a surprise inclusion, but as a trusted member of one of international football's elite squads.

For years, many have come to Major League Soccer at the latter stage of their careers, collected a payday and painted the league out as a slower league. Almada is the opposite, he came when he had better offers. He showed others that the MLS is a great way to showcase your abilities and attract teams all over the globe. Atlanta has history in showing this, Almirón was brilliant for Newcastle and was at the World Cup with Paraguay, Caleb Wiley has signed for Chelsea and been on loan in France and the EFL, and Thiago Almada has just lost a World Cup final. There is a proven pathway to success.

Almada has become one of the greatest success stories in Atlanta United's history. Not just for his transfer fee, or for his MLS awards, but for the fact that Atlanta United helped shape a player capable of influencing the biggest matches in world football on the biggest stage. For supporters who watched him orchestrate attacks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, seeing him represent Argentina isn't surprising. His journey from Atlanta serves as an example to many, that the MLS can be the launchpad to the top. It's the latest chapter in a story they saw developing long before much of the football world caught on. For Thiago Almada, one of the most important steps toward reaching it, happened in Atlanta.