Is Miguel Almirón Atlanta United’s savior or a $10M mistake? | OneFootball

Miguel Almirón is back home. The Paraguayan midfielder is in MLS on a contract guaranteed through 2027 and with an option for 2028 - six years after he left the club for the Premier League; it's one of the more valuable transfers across the league this season, which reportedly cost the Five Stripes about $10 million plus add-ons. That begs the ultimate question: Did Atlanta United really need this?

The return of an idol will always stir the fans-a mix of nostalgia and hope. Almirón was instrumental in Atlanta's historic MLS Cup win in 2018, as he formed a lethal partnership with Josef Martínez. Now, he returns to a different team in a more evolved league and amid a more competitive landscape. His arrival could be the biggest impact, but there are doubts, too.

A star with challenges ahead

At the time of his exit from Atlanta United in 2019, Almirón was one of the most valuable players in MLS. The last three and a half years have been up-and-down at Newcastle, but he managed to create a starting position for himself. He made 223 appearances for the club, netting 30 goals with 12 assists. The 2022/23 season saw him bag 11 goals and the Premier League Player of the Month award, but he never really turned out to be an undisputed name in English soccer.

Now, at 30, he will return to a league in which he once shined but with a very different status. Whereas he was once a promising youngster on the rise, he now comes as an experienced veteran and leader of a new ambitious project in Atlanta.

The big challenge will be maintaining the performances he had during his first spell. MLS has changed, opponents have evolved, and Atlanta's no longer the same beast that easily won in 2018.

Atlanta United's strategy with Almirón

There was much-needed finesse in the market for Almirón's return to Atlanta United. During the last seasons, the team hasn't been a prominent unit and needed a powerful name to attract back the supporters while raising the quality level for the squad.

The team features talented players up front, including Alexey Miranchuk and Saba Lobjanidze, yet it is searching for a key forward to seal the offensive unit in adding dynamism to Ronny Deila's side.

Beyond the pure technical influence, the signing also strengthens the identity of the club. Almirón is one of the biggest idols in the recent history of Atlanta, and his return now reconnects the team to its fanbase. The excitement of the supporters is palpable, and the club knows this can be the relationship that might get them back into prominence in the MLS.

Can they compete for titles now?

The mere presence of Almirón does not make Atlanta United an instant favorite for the MLS title, but it's a big step toward building a more competitive team. Under the guidance of Ronny Deila, the squad will have a new playing style, and the Paraguayan could be the missing piece in the attacking setup.

The question remains now how these new signings blend into the group, and more to the point, if it would be in sufficient balance in competitiveness against those considered top outfits. The opening day of the 2025 campaign is slotted for February 22 versus CF Montréal and will constitute their first valid exam for Almirón and all his other team-mates around him.

If he can duplicate that level of performance from his first tour of duty in MLS, Almirón might be the missing piece that gets Atlanta back to the top.