Almada’s error at River Plate reignites debate among Flamengo fans after he turned down the club.
Young midfielder Thiago Almada, who chose to join River Plate (ARG) over an offer from Flamengo, has been facing uncertain times with his new team. Last Sunday (24), a specific play during the match against Vélez Sarsfield, in the sixth round of the Argentine championship, caused a stir among the Rubro-Negro faithful.
The Decisive Moment
In the 85th minute, with River Plate leading, Almada made a costly passing error in the defensive third. The mistake led directly to the equalizer for Vélez Sarsfield, frustrating the Buenos Aires side and the fans at the Monumental de Núñez. The final score was 2-2.
Flamengo’s Attempted Signing
Almada’s poor performance drew significant attention from Flamengo fans, who are still disappointed that the signing did not go through. The Rio de Janeiro club had offered approximately 30 million euros (around R$ 164 million) for the player. However, the athlete preferred offers from Europe, which ultimately did not materialize.
Later, there was a verbal agreement with Flamengo, but Almada’s high salary demands led the Brazilian club to pull out of the deal. The midfielder’s final decision was to accept River Plate’s offer, motivated by his childhood emotional ties to the club.
“My uncle, who lives there, played for the River reserve team and did the preseason with the main squad, so we always came to the stadium with my grandparents,”Almada stated during his presentation, explaining his choice. “As fate would have it, my relative couldn’t play here. Now it’s my turn, so the family is very happy.”
Perspective on Performance
Despite the isolated error, some argue that one play does not define a player’s career. “One mistake doesn’t define the player. Nothing prevents Almada from playing well in the next match,” commented João Vítor Reis, from the M360 team. “It’s just that Flamengo fans are upset because they really wanted him as a reinforcement.”
The episode highlights the intensity of the transfer market and how a player’s decisions impact fan perception, especially when there is interest from major clubs like Flamengo. Almada’s journey at River Plate continues to be closely monitored.
M360 Team
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