Thiago Almada bids farewell to Atlanta United with incredible goal

If Thiago Almada has played his final game for Atlanta United, he chose a memorable night to do so. The young Argentinian midfielder, who has been the subject of numerous transfer rumours, made his final mark by scoring in a dramatic 2-1 win over Toronto FC. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium was delighted when Jamal Thiare sealed the victory in added time, but it was Almada who really stole the show.

Aged 23 and blessed with undeniable talent, Almada has been the star of Atlanta United since his arrival from Vélez Sarsfield in 2022. His statistics are impressive: 23 goals and 33 assists in 77 matches. Even without a title to crown his career, he was able to conquer the hearts of the supporters and become one of the key players of the team. The victory against Toronto FC, their first at home since March, was a beautiful farewell.

In the 90th minute, Thiare surprised everyone by stealing the ball from goalkeeper Luka Gavran and scoring the winner, but Almada’s goal was just as special. For a player who has been the backbone of the team, scoring in his possible farewell was a fairytale ending.

“Scoring a goal at home and coming away with a victory is a happy ending. Even if the only thing I didn’t do is win a title here, I tried to do my best and everything for the club “, said Almada, and he also showed that his connection with Atlanta goes beyond the field: “The fans, my teammates, the people who work at the club, the leaders They will have a big part of my heart. I will remember the club as one of the greatest in MLS.”

As Almada said his goodbyes, rumors of his transfer were in full swing. And it seems Botafogo got what many clubs wanted. Eagle Football’s John Textor completed the signing of Almada for around $19 million, with a future planned in Lyon. The move is part of an ambitious multi-club project that has convinced Almada to stay in America, at least for now.

Brazilian press revealed that Botafogo had agreed salary details with Almada’s staff, who were initially reluctant to leave North America. But the project proposal, which includes a possible move to Lyon, was enough to convince him. With a World Cup under his belt and being part of Argentina’s three-time World Cup-winning team, Almada is a major acquisition for Botafogo.

Thiago Almada, although young, has already shown his value both in MLS and internationally. His versatility on the pitch, playing both as a central midfielder and on the left side of the attack, makes him a key player for Botafogo in the current transfer window. His ability to create plays and finish with precision is an asset that any team would like to have.

This transfer marks the end of an era for Atlanta United and the start of a new one for Botafogo. Almada brought joy and unforgettable moments to Atlanta fans, and now Botafogo fans can expect big things from their new star. The Argentinian says goodbye to North American football with his head held high and his eyes fixed on a new challenge in Brazil.