Almada's Atletico future hanging in the balance despite passport boost
The Argentine midfielder's situation at Atleti remains uncertain despite solving his non-EU status, with playing time concerns potentially forcing a January exit
Despite being tipped for a starting spot against Alaves this weekend, Thiago Almada’s future at Atletico Madrid remains on a knife-edge, with the player himself potentially pushing for a January exit.
Passport situation resolved
The good news for Atletico is that what could have been a significant administrative headache has already been sorted. Almada has officially shed his non-EU status after obtaining dual nationality through marriage to an Italian woman.
This development means:
- Atletico no longer face pressure to move him on to free up a non-EU spot
- The club has additional flexibility in their pursuit of Joao Gomes from Wolves and PSG’s Lee Kang-in
- One of the three permitted non-EU slots in the squad has been freed up
World Cup dreams driving unrest
However, the passport situation isn’t the only factor at play. Almada harbours serious concerns about his limited playing time under Simeone and how it might impact his international prospects.
With the World Cup firmly in his sights, the Argentine is worried that his current bit-part role at the Metropolitano could jeopardize his chances of making the national team squad for the tournament.
Potential exit routes
Given these circumstances, Atletico might consider:
- A permanent transfer if an offer approaches the €20 million they paid Botafogo
- A loan move (Almada is contracted until 2030) if permanent offers fall short of their valuation
What started as a promising move to Europe for the talented midfielder has turned into a complicated situation where both club and player need to make tough decisions in the coming weeks.