Whatever you do, don’t call the MLS a ‘retirement league’.
Ok, so that point has been undermined somewhat by Xherdan Shaqiri’s sudden switch to Chicago Fire after six oh-so forgettable months at Lyon. But do not downplay the sudden influx of exciting young on American soil.
Clubs on the other side of the Atlantic may still be tempted by the allure of an Andrea Pirlo, a Steven Gerrard or a Frank Lampard. But, of the top 20 biggest signings in MLS history, 15 have occured since 2017/18.
And a further ten of those were for players under the age of 25.
Among them is Talles Magno, the one-time Liverpool and PSG target who joined New York City FC. Brazilian wonderkid Brenner, meanwhile, put pen to paper with newcomers Cincinatti despite plenty of interest from Europe.
And, on Wednesday, Atlanta United confirmed the £13.5 million signing of Thiago Almada from Velez Sarsfield.
Not only is Almada the biggest signing in Atalanta United’s history, he’s also the biggest signing in MLS history.
“Thiago recognises there’s a higher standard here,” explains president Darren Eales, highlighting the MLS’s new-found penchant for luring some of the most exciting young talent in South America north of the border.
“We believe he’s going to develop, learn and be educated.”
Will Thiago Almada end up at Leeds United?
Not so long ago, Almada looked certain to be on his way to, if not England, then certainly to Europe. With his wondrous dribbling ability, defence-splitting vision and Argentine upbringing, the 20-year-old has somewhat inevitably been labelled the ‘new Lionel Messi’.
Velez Sarsfield’s then-manager admitted, back in 2020, that Barcelona had shown an interest. Almada’s former coach, Eduardo Hernandez, even claimed that the youngster was ‘much more technical’ than the great Carlos Tevez when Arsenal were being linked later that year.
According to Argentina publication Ole, Leeds United were watching the £20 million-rated teenager closely too. What’s more, Alvarez even admitted that he would relish the prospect of honing his considerable talent under a coach famed for turning potential into world-class quality.
“I would like Bielsa to coach me,” Almada tells TYC Sports. “My friends sent me that something about Bielsa (being interested) but I am calm. Whether it happens or not, we have to see.”
“I saw some Leeds highlights and I saw something similar to what we did in Velez with (coach Gabriel) Heinze.”
This is not to say Almada won’t end up in Europe eventually. If he lives up to those early expectations, the 20-year-old won’t be staying in Georgia forever, that’s for sure.
But Almada’s move to Atlanta is another sign of the MLS must be credited for re-invented itself From a so-called ‘retirement’ league for ageing stars to a kindergarten for some of football’s most exciting wonderkids.
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