The Argentina nationwide staff will head to the US subsequent week for a tour that features two pleasant matches. Lionel Messi is predicted to characteristic, enjoying in one in every of his ultimate appearances of the 12 months with the nationwide staff. Nevertheless, a key teammate shall be absent.
“The Atletico Madrid participant Thiago Almada will miss the 2 friendlies in the US,” the official Argentina nationwide staff account introduced on X this Saturday, confirming that the midfielder is not going to even journey from Spain to America.
Almada has been sidelined for a number of weeks as a result of a muscle damage in his proper leg, suffered throughout Argentina’s World Cup qualifier towards Venezuela on September 4. He was subbed off within the second half of that match and didn’t journey to Ecuador for the ultimate sport of the worldwide window.
Upon returning to Spain, the midfielder was fastidiously managed by coach Diego Simeone to make sure a full restoration. In consequence, he has missed Atletico Madrid’s final six matches. In La Liga, he was unavailable for the derby towards Actual Madrid and video games towards Villarreal, Mallorca, and Rayo Vallecano. Within the UEFA Champions League, he missed each the Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt clashes.
Atletico Madrid want Almada
After spending greater than $45 million to signal Almada this summer season, Atletico Madrid positioned excessive expectations on him. His performances with Atlanta United in Main League Soccer and Botafogo in Brazil justified the funding. But it surely was his standout play for Argentina that elevated his repute to star standing.
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With that in thoughts, Almada is predicted to play a significant function for the Spanish facet throughout probably the most demanding stretch of the season, each domestically and in Europe. From that perspective, the choice to not journey with the Argentina nationwide staff is welcome information for Atletico Madrid, who need him totally match for his or her most important upcoming fixture: a Champions League showdown towards Arsenal on October 21.
What are Argentina’s choices with out Almada?
This 12 months, Argentina have needed to play a number of matches with out Lionel Messi, who missed key fixtures as a result of damage. In these situations, head coach Lionel Scaloni turned to Thiago Almada — and the midfielder delivered sturdy performances towards Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia.
October shall be a special story. Messi is obtainable for the upcoming friendlies towards Venezuela and Puerto Rico, whereas Almada shall be out. Nevertheless, Scaloni nonetheless has loads of choices to fill the hole. Enzo Fernandez returns after serving a suspension in September, and different prospects embody Nicolas Paz, Giovani Lo Celso, and Franco Mastantuono.
