The Argentina nationwide crew will head to america subsequent week for a tour that features two pleasant matches. Lionel Messi is anticipated to function, taking part in in certainly one of his last appearances of the 12 months with the nationwide crew. Nonetheless, a key teammate will probably be absent.
“The Atletico Madrid participant Thiago Almada will miss the 2 friendlies in america,” the official Argentina nationwide crew 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 consequence of a muscle harm in his proper leg, suffered throughout Argentina’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Venezuela on September 4. He was subbed off within the second half of that match and didn’t journey to Ecuador for the ultimate recreation of the worldwide window.
Upon returning to Spain, the midfielder was fastidiously managed by coach Diego Simeone to make sure a full restoration. Consequently, he has missed Atletico Madrid’s final six matches. In La Liga, he was unavailable for the derby in opposition to Actual Madrid and video games in opposition to 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 time, 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 status to star standing.
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With that in thoughts, Almada is anticipated to play a serious position for the Spanish facet throughout essentially the most demanding stretch of the season, each domestically and in Europe. From that perspective, the choice to not journey with the Argentina nationwide crew is welcome information for Atletico Madrid, who need him totally match for his or her most important upcoming fixture: a Champions League showdown in opposition to 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 consequence of harm. In these situations, head coach Lionel Scaloni turned to Thiago Almada — and the midfielder delivered robust performances in opposition to Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia.
October will probably be a unique story. Messi is on the market for the upcoming friendlies in opposition to Venezuela and Puerto Rico, whereas Almada will probably be out. Nonetheless, Scaloni nonetheless has loads of choices to fill the hole. Enzo Fernandez returns after serving a suspension in September, and different prospects embrace Nicolas Paz, Giovani Lo Celso, and Franco Mastantuono.
