Atlético may be raiding MLS – but not how you think

After Seattle Sounders and Atlético Madrid faced off in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Spanish club and Major League Soccer may be forging a closer connection this summer. With Rodrigo De Paul on the verge of joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, Atlético now appear to be interested in signing Thiago Almada.

While the two World Cup winners from Qatar 2022 don’t play the same position, the idea of De Paul swapping LaLiga for the North American league – and Almada potentially joining Diego Simeone’s squad – is turning heads. De Paul’s transfer is all but finalized, but in Almada’s case, a few steps remain before any deal is done.

The 31-year-old midfielder, whose European career helped him secure a spot in Argentina’s national team and win everything alongside Messi, is now set to land in MLS. That move will leave a gap in Atlético’s midfield, but it would undoubtedly elevate Inter Miami’s engine room.

As for Almada, after a standout spell with Atlanta United in MLS, he moved to Brazil, where he won the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo, before taking the leap to Europe with Olympique Lyonnais. Now, amid rumors of a potential transfer, Benfica and Atlético Madrid are both vying for his signature.

Atlético Madrid looks to replace its World Cup winners

During the current transfer window, Atlético have already lost Ángel Correa, who left for Mexico to join Tigres UANL. Now they’re on the brink of parting ways with De Paul, who is reportedly set to reunite with Messi, Suárez and company at Inter Miami.

In this context, Simeone’s squad would be left with four World Cup winners: Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina and Thomas Lemar. If Almada joins the team, Atlético would boast five World Cup champions from Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

The coming days will be key in finalizing De Paul’s move to North America – and just as crucial in tracking Almada’s possible arrival in the Spanish capital.