Thiago Almada
Full name: Thiago Ezequiel Almada
Country: Argentina
Date of birth: 26/04/2001 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Height: 171cm
Youth career: Vélez Sarsfield
Current club: Vélez Sarsfield
Squad number: 23
Current national team: Argentina U-20
Position: attacking midfielder, second striker, striker
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 5.000.000 €
Tournaments participated in: —
Contract until: 30.06.2021
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Carlos Tévez
Strengths:
– pace and acceleration 
– technique
– dribbling
– ball control
– finishing
– flair
– creativity 
– balance
– versatility
– first touch 
Weaknesses:
– aerial duels
Style of play:
– advanced playmaker, auxiliary striker/advanced striker
– creative player with great technique on the ball, mobility, acceleration skills, fast direction shifts, short-dribbling and good short-mid through passing ability
– can create a great striking partnership when paired with a tall centre forward
– superb coordination, agility and balance
– likes to play in a free attacking role granted the freedom to roam the pitch and find space
– likes to dribble
– often employs feints and tricks to beat opponents
– displays a natural technique to take fast decisions in tight spaces/under pressure
– extremely dangerous on the counter thanks to his pace and acceleration
– extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his low centre of gravity and excellent close control
– efficient in his play and has a natural eye for goal
– very strong in 1v1 situations, unpredictable and confident of his skills
He is best suited to playing as:
Striker in 4-4-2.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vkTMxdkqoU7
Achievements:
—
League summary (as for 19 December 2018):
Superliga Argentina (ongoing) 2018/2019: 9 games/3 goals (Vélez)
Description:
Thiago Almada is a product of Vélez Sarsfield youth academy. He is often compared to legendary Carlos Tévez who is also his role model. He made his first team debut on 11 August 2018 in a league fixture against Newell’s Old Boys. In 2018, he featured on a list entitled “TOP 60 young talents in world football” by The Guardian.
Quotes:
“Thiago Almada dreams about becoming the new Carlos Tevez – and why not. Like “the Apache” he was born in El Fuerte, a poor but brave neighbourhood in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, and also like the former Argentina international he is an extremely skilful player with plenty of attitude. At 17 he is representing Argentina Under-20s and he made his Primera Divisíon debut in August 2018. Gabriel Heinze is the Vélez coach and he has high hopes for Almada and people at the club talk about “someone who is different”. Almada plays as a classic Argentinian No 10 and always wants the ball, no matter who he is playing with or against. He is only 1.67m (5ft 5in) but has a big heart and his town is dreaming about him going to the very top.”
(The Guardian)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
9/10 
Player has potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: