Almada joins Argentina, addresses future: “River? I don’t know…” | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid midfielder Thiago Almada arrived in the country while awaiting Argentina’s squad list for the 2026 World Cup and said he has not spoken with his agent amid rumors linking him with River.

Atlético Madrid player Thiago Almada arrived in the country as he waits for coach Lionel Scaloni to announce Argentina’s squad for the 2026 World Cup and showed indifference when asked whether he would play for River.

“I don’t know, honestly,” was the brief reply from the Vélez youth product when asked if he would wear the Millonario shirt after reports emerged that president Stefano Di Carlo had contacted his camp to try to sign him in this transfer window.

At the same time, while waiting for the call-ups, the 25-year-old midfielder stressed that his focus is on the World Cup, where he will try to win the title again after lifting it in Qatar, though now he is expected to play a bigger role, and said he has not spoken with his agent about Núñez’s interest. “My mind is on the national team, then we’ll see what happens,” he said in an impromptu press conference.

“Very anxious, very happy, and now waiting for the list. I thank the fans for their support, and we’re going to represent the country the way we should,” added the midfielder from Fuerte Apache, while sounding calm about his place among the 26: “I’m very positive and I hope to be there.”

After winning the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo and spending half a season at Olympique Lyon, Almada joined Atlético Madrid as one of the major signings of the European summer transfer window. However, despite playing 40 matches, scoring four goals and providing two assists, he was only an option off the bench in Diego Simeone’s setup. He did not surpass 40% of the minutes in any of the four competitions the Colchonero played in and had even been made available for transfer during the January window.

By contrast, his current form with the Argentina national team has established him as a key piece for Lionel Scaloni and as one of the team’s standout players in 2025. With decisive goals against Uruguay and Colombia in the qualifiers and an outstanding performance in the rout of Brazil, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder has secured a place at the next World Cup, likely with a bigger role than he had in Qatar 2022, which he made at the last minute along with Ángel Correa due to injuries to Nicolás González and Joaquín Correa.

It is worth noting that before moving to Brazil, Almada had been close to joining Boca, as he revealed last November. “I got a call from Román, who asked me, but that was as far as it went. I had already decided to go to Botafogo,” he said.

For now, River, which is coming off a loss to Belgrano in the Apertura final, is closely monitoring his situation. Although those at Núñez know the player’s intention is to change clubs, they also recognize how complicated the deal would be. Even so, they will make an attempt to add another world champion to a squad that, after the agreement for Nicolás Otamendi, will have five, with Franco Armani, Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuña and Germán Pezzella already there.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.