Thiago Almada is experiencing contrasting fortunes this season, revelling in his role with Argentina while struggling for minutes at Atlético.
The midfielder, aged 24, enjoys a prominent role with his national side, forming a strong partnership with Messi. However, his club situation is markedly different, with limited opportunities to start or even influence matches as a substitute.
Almada’s Playing Time: A Stark Contrast
The disparity in playing time is significant. Almada received 75 minutes against Mauritania and 74 against Zambia in two friendly matches for Argentina in March. To accumulate a similar 149 minutes for Atlético, one would have to combine his appearances across the last seven matches.
His future may lie away from the Spanish capital. He has his eye on the World Cup but his club challenges are piling up.
Limited Opportunities at Atlético
In Atlético’s last ten matches, Almada was absent from the pitch in six, notably during crucial games. These included the league match against Real Madrid, both Champions League ties against Tottenham and Brugge, and the Copa semi-final second leg at Camp Nou.
He did feature against Espanyol (17 minutes), Oviedo (72 minutes), Real Sociedad (54 minutes) and Getafe (66 minutes).
- Real Madrid (Liga): 0 minutes
- Tottenham (Champions League): 0 minutes
- Brujas (Champions League): 0 minutes
- Barcelona (Copa): 0 minutes
Future in Doubt for Almada
Having concluded his time with Argentina, Thiago now faces the challenge of regaining prominence at Atlético, where his role has diminished. From a promising start, he has transitioned to the fringes, raising questions about his future with the club at the end of the season.