Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said that Thiago Almada has “a huge future” when asked about the Atlanta United’s midfielder inclusion into the team for the World Cup in Qatar.
Scaloni said, “Is Almada’s call up surprising? I’m not surprised because he is a player who has a level to be in the national team, and I hope the world of football can enjoy it. He is a boy who has a huge future.”
Almada was called up by Scaloni on Thursday. Argentina, among the favorites to win the World Cup, is scheduled to play its first game in the tournament against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Almada has made one appearance for Argentina. It came in a friendly during September. He scored six goals with a team-high 12 assists for Atlanta United last season.
After that appearance, Almada described playing for his national team as a dream. That was evident in this video posted about he and his family reacting to the news he was called up.
And in this video of Argentina supporters sending off Almada and a teammate at the airport:
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