Almada has the chance to become the first active MLS player to win the World Cup

When Argentina defeated Croatia in the semifinals, Atlanta United FC midfielder Thiago Almada became the first live MLS player to advance to a World Cup Final. The Argentinean joined Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was on loan at Toronto FC, as the only other MLS player to go to the World Cup semifinals in 2014.

Just days before the World Cup began, manager Lionel Scaloni called up Almada as a Joaquin Correa injury substitute. Almada was a last-minute addition to La Albiceleste's World Cup roster. He was one of 36 players from the MLS selected for the 2022 World Cup team. Almada has now made one appearance in Qatar, playing six minutes as a substitute in Argentina's 2-0 group-stage victory over Poland. The most expensive player in MLS history is 21-year-old Almada. He moved from Velez Sarsfield to Atlanta in February for a league-record $16 million transfer fee.