Atlanta United was on a quest to add proven winners this offseason. The club made that happen with the two front office vacancies filled, head coach Ronny Deila and sporting director Chris Henderson. And this week, the club added a player with a strong history of winning on the pitch, especially in Atlanta – Miguel Almirón.
Almirón, affectionately known to soccer fans as “Miggy,” rejoins the club for his second stint in Atlanta. And he returns a champion. The last match he played in Major League Soccer, he was lifting a trophy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
There are a lot of numbers to encapsulate Almirón’s professional career thus far, but here were just a few that stood out.
10
No. 10 has special meaning for Almirón. As an attacker capable of playing out wide or in the middle, the 10-position of attacking midfielder is a place Almirón can fill on the pitch. He's also worn 10 when he played at Atlanta United and internationally for his home country of Paraguay.
But this number also marks his beginning with the club. In 2016, Almirón became the 10th player Atlanta United signed, before the team ever competed on the pitch. He was one of the most notable signings for the expansion club, having already built a positive reputation and burgeoning career for himself in South America.
70
His first time in Atlanta lasted two MLS seasons: 2017 and 2018. During that time, Almirón made 70 appearances for the club across all competitions, tallying a total of 22 goals and 30 assists.
Although he’s certainly able to finish, Miggy was elite as a setup man. He previously shared the club record for most assists in a single season, along with teammate Julian Gressel, with 14 assists each in 2018. The record was broken by Thiago Almada in 2023.
1
This number represents the star above Atlanta’s crest, and Almirón is a big reason why. The midfielder scored a goal and added two assists during Atlanta’s run to the 2018 MLS Cup. The club won the trophy with a 2-0 win over Portland Timbers in front of a record crowd of 73,019 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Along with a championship, Almirón was also honored individually during his time in Atlanta. In 2017 and 2018, he was named a finalist for the MVP award – the only player to be nominated both years. He was also only one of two players to be selected to the MLS Best XI in both those years.
23
Following his time in Atlanta, Almirón was transferred to Newcastle United in the English Premier League, one of the top soccer leagues in the world. Almirón spent six seasons at Newcastle, making a name for himself and playing against some of the best talent in the world. In 186 Premier League appearances, he scored 23 goals.
He leaves Newcastle made 223 appearances in all competitions, recording a total of 30 goals and 22 assists.
Miguel Almirón’s career:
- Cerro Porteñ (Paraguay) – 2013-15
- Lanús (Argentina) – 2015-16
- Atlanta United (United States) – 2016-19
- Newcastle United (England) – 2019-25
- Atlanta United (United States) – 2025-present
4
Newcastle scored four goals in the club’s first Champions League home match in 20 years, and the opener belonged to Almirón. The midfielder hammered home a rebound after the goalkeeper’s block, striking it with his left foot into the far netting to take the lead over Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
64
Almirón was born in Asunción, Paraguay and has started 57 of his 64 appearances for his home country since his debut in 2015. He’s become a regular starter and leader for Paraguay, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time in 2022. He was awarded Paraguayan Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2022, determined by a public vote, and also received the distinction from media in 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Paraguay is in the hunt to qualify for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a target Almirón certainly has his eye on. The country has six games remaining to secure qualification, and the matches are scheduled during this year's international windows in March, June, and September. Currently, the nation ranks sixth in the CONMEBOL standings, the last automatic qualifying spot. La Albirroja are unbeaten in their last six matches. Almirón scored in their most recent result, a 2-2 draw against Bolivia on November 19, 2024.
