Arsenal Scout on Thiago Almada: why the club did not heed his advice.

Arsenal Scout Regretted Bad Recommendation

According to The Sun: The chief scout of Arsenal in South America shared his thoughts on why the club did not take his advice on signing Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada into account.

Almada signed a contract with Atlético Madrid in the summer transfer window and seems ready to showcase his skills in the upcoming World Cup, after earning a spot in Lionel Scaloni's squad.

The Spanish club did not miss their chance as Diego Simeone spotted the talent of the former Botafogo player, whom Arsenal scout Jonathan Vidal pointed out a few years ago.

However, Vidal faced some resistance at Arsenal, as it was believed that Almada would not cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

Scout's Reflections on Almada

Now Vidal is looking for new talents during the Youth World Championships in Chile and expressed his deepest regret as a scout in an interview with a local radio station.

“Thiago Almada — I always insisted on him, I always liked him, but he has certain physical weaknesses, especially for the Premier League,”

“I compiled 56 reports about him because I’ve known him since the eighth league, that is, from U-15.”

Almada progressed through the youth ranks at Vélez Sarsfield and made his first team debut under Gabriel Heinze, who is now an assistant to Mikel Arteta at 'Emirates'

He amazed everyone at the Junior World Championship in Poland six years ago and agreed to move to Atlanta United in 2021, although the Argentine coach was sacked before his official inclusion.

Though he spent only six minutes on the field during Argentina's successful World Cup campaign, his club career began in 2022 when he received the MLS Rookie of the Year award, and then Botafogo approached him again in 2024.

During six months at the club, he helped Botafogo win the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores, which opened the door for his transfer to Europe.

Lyon struck a deal with their sister team from São Paulo to loan the 24-year-old player for the second half of the last season, where he again showcased a high level of play, leading to his transfer to Atlético Madrid.

The official numbers regarding the transfer were not disclosed, but Botafogo is likely to reap financial benefits again due to the sale conditions, as Almada quickly became a key player in Simeone's squad.

Vidal remains a fan of the talented Argentine who can play on both wings or in the central midfield.

“Sometimes it’s a bit frustrating when a player you scout moves to another club and succeeds, but that’s just the way the game goes, it might have worked out,”

“The Premier League is tough because it is very physical. Another important thing that is crucial today is the mentality of young players.”

“Modern players are athletes with technique, especially at this level at which we work,”

“I’m talking about the top five leagues in Europe, the most important teams in the world. It's crucial to have good fitness, except for some positions where it is compensated by intelligence, decision-making, high technique, and good understanding of the game.”

The situation with Thiago Almada emphasizes how important it is for clubs to approach the selection of new players cautiously, as sometimes obvious talent may not be entirely suited to certain leagues. Scout errors can cost expensive transfers or, conversely, lead to great achievements, as in Almada's case with Atlético Madrid.

This case provides important lessons for other clubs, especially about the significance of physical preparation and adaptation to new conditions, which can become a decisive factor in the careers of young footballers. Almada's success on the international stage also speaks to the opportunities that open up for young talents on the world scene.