After Seattle Sounders and Atlético Madrid came across in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the Spanish club and Major League Soccer can forge a closer bond this summer. With Rodrigo de Paul at the point of becoming a member of Lionel Messi in Inter Miami, Atlético now seems to be interested in signing Thiago Almada.
While the two World Cup winners from Qatar 2022 do not play the same position, the idea is that the Paul Laliga is changing for the North -American league – and Almada who may join the Diego Simeone team – turns the heads. The transfer of the Paul is almost completed, but in the case of Almada there will continue to be a few steps before a deal is closed.
The 31-year-old midfielder, whose European career helped him to secure a place in the national team of Argentina and to win everything alongside Messi, will now land in MLS. That movement will leave an opening in the midfield of Atlético, but it would undoubtedly raise the engine room of Inter Miami.
As far as Almada is concerned, after a striking spell with Atlanta United in MLS, he moved to Brazil, where he won the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo before he took the leap to Europe with Olympique Lyonnais. Now, in the midst of rumors about a potential transfer, Benfica and Atlético Madrid both compete for his signature.
Atlético Madrid wants to replace his world cup winners
During the current transfer window, Atlético Ángel Correa has already lost, who left for Mexico to become a member of Tigres Uanl. Now they are about to say goodbye to the Paul, who is said to reunite with Messi, Suárez and Company in Inter Miami.
In this context, the Simeone team would be left with four world cup winners: Antoine Griezmann, Julán Álvarez, Nahuel Molina and Thomas Lemar. If Almada comes to the team, Atlético would have five world cup champions from Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
In the coming days, the key will be in completing the move from the Paul to North America – and just as crucial in following the possible arrival of Almada in the Spanish capital.