Thiago Almada floats across the pitch like any playmaker raised in the Rioplatense school.
He manages tight spaces, has lightning‑quick changes of pace, uses pauses as synonymous with rhythm, and delivers sharp passes (with a broad range of them).
However, despite floating and possessing the traits of a classic Argentine No. 10, his movements and runs are outside (or actually a fusion of all) those of No. 10s like Juan Román Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Javier Pastore or Lionel Messi from 2022 World Cup.
The young Argentinian, developed in Vélez Sarsfield’s academy and who joined Olympique Lyonnais this year after winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores with Botafogo, is Argentina’s most sensational story this year.
A World Cup champion—having been called up by Lionel Scaloni and playing six minutes against Poland in the group stage—with practically a year to go until the next 2026 World Cup, Almada has sparked debate over earning a spot in the starting XI.
Messi’s absence during the March South American Qualifiers opened the door for Almada to start against Uruguay, where he was one of the standout performers and scored the only goal against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
That brilliant breakthrough has become routine; he started the following three qualifiers—all in high-stakes matches:
- Started in the stunning 4‑1 win over Brazil at the Monumental (home),
- Assisted Julián Álvarez for a 1‑0 win against Chile away,
- Scored again to seal a draw in Buenos Aires against Colombia (home).
So yes, he’s not just numbers—he represents a shift in Scaloni’s ideas: how to handle intense pressing without sacrificing interior link‑play and asymmetries (while maintaining high representation of natural playmakers on the pitch: Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Paz, Leandro Paredes, and/or Thiago Almada himself).
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Back‑To‑Goal Second‑Striker Turned Enganche
Including Thiago Almada in Scaloni’s starting XI brings both fresh energy and a tactical solution to Argentina’s growing issues.
In his early days at Vélez, he played as a back‑to‑goal second striker, showing a remarkable ability to generate and manage chances independently.
Over time, he dropped deeper, broadening his vision and range of movements, and now often faces the goal from a more withdrawn position.
He has retained impressive lower-body strength—his balance and strong core make him especially effective under tight pressure.
Figure 1. Thiago Almada dropping into space behind the first line of pressure, using his arms to shield the ball and fend off man-oriented marking.
Scaloni has allowed him the freedom to roam the midfield, deploying him in various formations (left midfield in a 4‑4‑2 or second striker in a diamond) much like the liberty once afforded—though differently—to Lionel Messi.
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