The story of why Miguel Almiron left Lanus in Argentina to join then-new MLS club Atlanta United is a familiar one.
What no one counted on is the success he’d have or, moreover, how much he’d fall in love with the city of Atlanta.
So much so that when the opportunity arose for him to rejoin the club after six years at Newcastle United, he took it, turning down “same or better” offers from Spanish and Brazilian clubs in the process.
“From the very first moment in 2017, me — not just me, but my family — fell in love with the city, the people,” Almiron said in a teaser for an upcoming episode of the club’s “Travel Stories” series.
Almiron mentioned that while his “dream” was to play in Europe — one ultimately granted with his sale to Newcastle United — a return to Atlanta someday was never off the table.
“I had to say yes (to playing in Europe), but that desire to come back one day stuck with us,” he said.
Almiron’s biggest career achievement came in early September as he helped his native Paraguay qualify for its first World Cup since 2010. Regardless of how things have fared at the club level, though, his sentiments about Atlanta haven’t changed.
“For how the club is, the people that work there, I’m honestly really happy here,” Almiron said.
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I love ATL as well. I have scored almost as many open play goals as Miggy this season (1 or 2). Most sequels are not as good as the original. I think Miggy’s contract will become an albatross for the club, if not already. He is the fourth highest paid player in MLS. Does his performance measure up? Plus, I think we have him for three more years; when he will be in his mid-30s. Bad contract. Bad business.
Glad to have Miggy back – make him the 10 (permanently) and fix the missing pieces and we will get back to winning ways.
Lanus is a club in Argentina, not Paraguay.
Ha thanks. I knew that!