Thiago Almada was announced by Lyon with an move as creative as strategic. The Argentine midfielder's presentation video full of humor and references to mate and the Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry underlined a club which tried to turn soccer into a show everywhere, including off the pitch. But the signing of Almada is much more than just a marketing move. The club is hoping he can help them get through one of the biggest crises it has had to face in recent times.
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Almada arrived in Lyon on a free loan until mid-year, a solution that fits the club's financial hardships. The transfer ban hammered by the DNCG has left Lyon unable to make investments in the market. Without other options, the club relied on its synergy with Botafogo, also owned by Eagle Football, a network of clubs led by John Textor. This connection became the perfect bridge for the player to make his move to Europe without any immediate costs.
Almada's path to Lyon
Thiago Almada is one of the biggest signings in Brazilian soccer history and had a fantastic spell in MLS. In 2024, Textor paid $25 million to take him from Atlanta United to Botafogo-a new chapter in foreign investment in South American soccer. The midfielder, who became world champion with Argentina in 2022, quickly justified such high investment.
Not that many were surprised by this, given how he was at Atlanta United. In 26 matches, he won two trophies with Botafogo: the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship.
Even with only three goals scored, and two assists provided, Almada stood out for his tactical role, vision, and control in midfield. He became the playmaker for a Botafogo team that dominated the South American scene in 2024. His departure, even if temporary, is felt by Botafogo fans, who saw the Argentine as a beacon of hope for more achievements.
Lyon's crisis and Almada's significance
Almada's arrival in Lyon occurs at a special moment for the club. Besides the transfer ban imposed by the DNCG, it had threatened to relegate the team if finances are not regularized by the end of the season. This is a scenario that throws up a lot of pressure on management, especially John Textor, whose leadership will be put under test in one of the most demanding soccer markets in the world.
Meanwhile, Almada is more than an emergency solution. He could balance the performance of the team on the field and improve the image of the club at a time when results are crucial to avoid relegation. But his free loan softens the economic pressure, although the reality is that he will have to prove himself on the pitch.
Lyon wants more than a player; they're looking for a symbol, someone who could reconnect the club with its glorious past and attract the fans again during these uncertain times. Almada would fit that bill perfectly, given his refined technique and international experience.
Synergy between Textor's clubs
Almada's transfer is also a great example of how a multi-club network model can work in reality. The fact that the control of both Lyon and Botafogo allowed Eagle Football to avoid the transfer ban and get one of the big names in at no cost. That kind of integration is helpful for now, but in the long run, questions over sporting and financial integration arise.
For now, it is a win-win deal: Almada will finally see what European football is, and Lyon signed a great player without making their financial situation even worse. Anyway, this partnership is to be followed in the following months or even a year if Lyon fails to achieve the expected results.