A World Champion Comes Home
After his European stint, Thiago Almada returns to Argentine football to wear the River Plate jersey, marking a historic moment for the club's finances and a beacon of hope for its fans.
River Plate confirmed on August 8, 2026 the permanent transfer of Thiago Almada from Atlético de Madrid. The deal was closed at US$20 million, making it the most expensive purchase in the history of Argentine football. The winger has signed a contract for the next three and a half years, with a notable clause: the Spanish club retains a buy-back option of €40 million exercisable within the next 18 months.
A Signing to Halt the Worst Drought in 115 Years
Almada's arrival is not a whim but an urgent sporting necessity. The team led by Eduardo Coudet is going through its worst historical moment, accumulating six consecutive defeats in AFA competitions, something that had not happened in 115 years. This Saturday, River fell 1-0 to Tigre in matchday 4 of the 2026 Torneo Clausura, deepening the crisis.
Almada, who started as a starter in the 2026 World Cup with the Argentine national team but gradually lost his place due to underwhelming performances, will try to be the spark that reverses this situation. During his time at Atlético de Madrid, he played 27 matches with only 4 goals and 3 assists, numbers he will look to improve in Núñez.
Almada's Career Path
- Vélez Sarsfield: Debut in 2018 (at age 17)
- Atlanta United (MLS): First stint abroad
- Botafogo (Brazil): Brasileirão and 2024 Copa Libertadores
- Olympique Lyon (France): European experience
- Atlético Madrid (Spain): 2025/2026 season
- Argentina National Team: World Champion in Qatar 2022
A Debut in the Copa Sudamericana?
The anticipation to see Almada on the pitch could be fulfilled sooner than expected. According to ESPN, River Plate attempted to finalize the transfer before 6:00 PM on Friday to make a provisional registration on the good-faith list for the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana. The club has until Monday at 2:00 PM to regularize the paperwork with the AFA.
The footballer travels to Buenos Aires this weekend, is expected to be presented on Monday, and will join training sessions. Everything suggests he will not be available for the first leg in Bogotá against Independiente Santa Fe, but he could be the key player for the return leg at the Estadio Monumental.
Changes to the Good-Faith List
River is allowed up to five modifications for this round of 16 stage. If Almada is included, the list of reinforcements would be adjusted as follows:
| Players ENTERING | Players LEAVING |
|---|---|
| Thiago Almada | Mauro Arambarri (injured) |
| Ángel Correa | Tobías Andrada (lack of match fitness) |
| Nicolás Otamendi | Giovanni González (poor form) |
| Rafael Santos Borré | Lucas Beltrán (not in optimal condition) |
| Francisco Ortega | (Fifth spot under dispute) |
Source: ESPN. The final spot will depend on Almada's contract finalization.
Sources consulted: TyC Sports, Rosario3 and ESPN.