1. Thiago Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001 and is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Ligue 1 club Lyon, on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club Botafogo, and the Argentina national team.
Thiago 'Guayo' Ezequiel Almada was born on 26 April 2001, in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Thiago Almada grew up in the neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache, which is known for high crime rates and prevalent drug use.
Thiago Almada spent many of his early years selling fruit and vegetables door-to-door to earn extra money.
At the age of four, Thiago Almada played football for a local club, Santa Clara.
Thiago Almada was picked up by Velez Sarsfield at age five, where he made his way through the youth academy.
Thiago Almada began his first-team career as a wing forward under manager Gabriel Heinze.
Thiago Almada played alongside Matias Vargas, Nicolas Dominguez, Lucas Robertone, and Fernando Gago.
Thiago Almada was unveiled in the club's kit the next day in a welcome ceremony that was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Thiago Almada's signing was met with scrutiny by Atlanta fans due to the use of a racially insensitive gesture with his eyes during a recent goal celebration; Almada apologized shortly after being asked about the situation.
On 6 July 2024, Thiago Almada officially joined Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A side Botafogo, signing a five-year contract with the club; The deal reportedly commanded a fee of $21 million plus $9 million in add-ons; in the process, it broke the transfer record both for the MLS, and the Brazilian league.
Thiago Almada played for the Argentina under-20 squad in 2019, before featuring for the under-23 squad in 2021.
In November 2022, Thiago Almada was officially called up to the Argentinian World Cup squad to replace injured Joaquin Correa, only five days before Argentina's first game of the tournament.
Thiago Almada was a member of the squad that ultimately won the tournament, becoming the first active MLS player to win a World Cup.
On 23 March 2023, Thiago Almada scored his first international goal for Argentina at the senior level during a friendly against Panama in his third appearance for the senior team, becoming the first-ever MLS-based player to score for the national team.
In February 2021, Thiago Almada was identified as a person of interest by local authorities after a party in San Isidro, Buenos Aires on 4 December 2020.