Flamengo want to sign Thiago Almada, the 25-year-old Argentine, and there is a lot to talk about.
The first point is this: in my opinion, choosing to join Atlético Madrid was not the right decision. Almada was coming off an incredible season with Botafogo, in a historic year in which the club won both the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores. There is no way to downplay that. He was one of the stars, if not the main star, of that team.
At that point, it was already clear that he was several levels above Brazilian football. He was a player simply marking time there. A move to Europe was the natural step, but Atlético were not the best choice. Even so, the talent is there.
What I struggle to understand is this: how does a player of this level end up with Flamengo and River Plate as his main suitors? No disrespect to South American football, but it does raise questions.
If he joins Flamengo, breaking into the team will not be straightforward. He arrives to be a starter, but those positions are already occupied. Are you going to move Paquetá? You are not going to put Arrascaeta on the bench. Are you going to play with all three in midfield? And what about the defensive side of things?
A more defensive midfielder has to be there. Paquetá can do that job, but it is not where he performs at his best.
And looking at Flamengo as a whole, they are a team with the quality to dominate South America. Even if they are behind a Palmeiras side that wins but does not completely convince, the potential is there.
Conclusion
It does not make much sense that a player of Almada’s quality has not received stronger offers from Europe and could end up returning to South American football. Is it a mistake? Not necessarily, because he will shine.
But the reality is simple: he has the quality to be a star for a European team.