Thiago Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He emerged through Vélez Sarsfield's youth system, made his senior debut in 2018, and developed as one of South America's most promising attacking midfielders. Atlanta United signed him in February 2022 for what was then a record MLS fee of around $16 million, where he won 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year and made the 2023 All-Star team.
In July 2024 Botafogo paid around $21 million plus add-ons, and in a brief but impactful tenure Almada helped the club to the Brasileirão Série A and Copa Libertadores titles in the same year. He spent January 2025 on loan at Lyon before Atlético Madrid signed him in summer 2025, where he wears the number 11.
Almada made his Argentina senior debut in September 2022 and was added late to the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, just five days before kick-off — making him the first active MLS player to be a World Cup winner when Argentina lifted the trophy. He has since been part of the squad that won the 2024 Copa América.
A 1.69 m left-footed attacking midfielder/winger, Almada is celebrated for his close control, dribbling, set-piece quality, and finishing range. Across club and country he has scored 38 goals in 179 appearances, with the next chapter of his story being whether he can crack into Diego Simeone's regular starting XI in Atlético's evolving attack.