(Velez Sarsfield)
Velez Sarsfield’s interest in this year’s
Copa Sudamericana appeared to be
over in February. Away to Aucas of
Ecuador they were seconds from
elimination – until they were awarded
an injury-time penalty. The pressure was
on, but up stepped an 18-year-old to
save the day with a nerveless spot-kick.
After growing up in the notoriously
violent Fort Apache area of Buenos Aires,
Thiago Almada was not going to be fazed
by the challenge of beating a goalkeeper
from 12 yards.
Fort Apache is the neighbourhood
of Carlos Tevez and, though a decade
and a half apart, he and Almada played
for the same local side. And both were
coached by Eduardo Hernandez, who
says: “Almada has much more technique.
Carlitos always stood out for his drive and
desire, but on the ball Thiago is better.”
After coming through the ranks,
Almada had the good fortune to reach
the Velez first team while Gabriel Heinze
was in charge. Heinze gave youth its head
and developed some promising players in
an attack-minded side.
After being given his debut in August
2018 Almada grew in confidence as hewas handed more responsibility, helping
Velez to finish third in the 2019-20
Superliga, behind champions Boca
Juniors and River Plate.
Operating mostly behind a main striker
in the number 10 role, he can also play
out wide – the position where he is most
likely to see action in Europe, with
Manchester City and Lisbon’s Sporting
known to be among his admirers.
With his close control and capacity to
see a pass, the influence of Eden Hazard
is clear, although he is of slighter build
than the Belgian star and not nearly as
strong on the ball.
Time, however, is on the side of the
latest starlet to scale the walls and break
out of Fort Apache.
Tim VickeryTHIAGO ALMADA
“Almada has much more technique.
Carlitos always stood out for his
drive and desire, but on the ball
Thiago is better”
Eduardo HernandezMOST WANTED