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Thiago Alcântara
UEFA EURO qualifiers Sweden vs Spain 20191015 Thiago Alcantara 13 (cropped).jpg
Thiago playing for Spain in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth San Pietro Vernotico, Italy
Height 1.74m
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1996 Flamengo
1996–2000 Ureca
2000–2001 Kelme
2001–2005 Flamengo
2005–2008 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Barcelona B 54 (2)
2009–2013 Barcelona 68 (7)
2013–2020 Bayern Munich 150 (17)
2020–2024 Liverpool 68 (2)
Total 341 (28)
National team
2007 Spain U16 1 (0)
2007–2008 Spain U17 8 (5)
2009 Spain U18 1 (1)
2009–2010 Spain U19 11 (4)
2010–2013 Spain U21 21 (6)
2011–2021 Spain 46 (2)
Teams managed
2024 Barcelona (assistant)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2011 Denmark
Winner 2013 Israel
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Runner-up 2010 France
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner 2008 Turkey
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento (born on April 11, 1991), known simply as Thiago, is a former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder, a player who helps both attack and defense.

Thiago was born in Italy to Brazilian parents. He grew up in Spain. His father, Mazinho, was also a famous footballer. Thiago joined Barcelona when he was 14. He played his first game for the main team in 2009. At Barcelona, he won many big titles. These included four La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

In 2013, he moved to Bayern Munich in Germany. There, Thiago won 16 trophies. This included the Bundesliga seven times in a row. He also won the UEFA Champions League in 2020. This helped Bayern win a "treble" (three major trophies in one season). In 2020, he joined Liverpool. He faced some injuries there but still won the FA Cup in 2022. In 2020, he was chosen for the FIFPRO Men's World 11, which is a team of the best players in the world.

Thiago also played for the Spanish national team. He helped Spain win European Championships at under-19 and under-21 levels. He played his first game for the senior national team in 2011. Thiago played for Spain in UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup, and Euro 2020. He retired from professional football in July 2024.

Club Journey

Early Football Days

Thiago was born in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy. His father, Mazinho, was playing football for a team nearby. Thiago started playing football in Brazil for Flamengo. When he was five, he moved to Spain with his father. He played for a team called Ureca. In 2001, he played for Kelme CF. He went back to Flamengo at age 10. Then, in 2005, he moved back to Spain again and joined FC Barcelona.

Playing for Barcelona

ThiagovsVillarreal
Thiago celebrates scoring for Barcelona against Villarreal in 2012

Thiago made his first team debut for Barcelona on May 17, 2009. He was 18 years old. He came on as a substitute in a game against RCD Mallorca. Barcelona had already won the La Liga title that season.

On February 20, 2010, Thiago scored his first goal for Barcelona. It was in a 4–0 home win against Racing de Santander. He scored another goal against Real Sociedad later that season. He ended the 2010–11 season with 17 games played, three goals, and three assists. He was also part of the team that won the 2011 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United.

In the 2011–12 season, Thiago helped Barcelona win the 2011 UEFA Super Cup and the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final. He scored in Barcelona's first La Liga game of the season. He also scored in a big 7–0 win against Rayo Vallecano.

Time at Bayern Munich

Joining Bayern and First Season

On July 14, 2013, Thiago joined Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. He signed a four-year deal. His former coach at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, really wanted him to join Bayern. Thiago played his first game for Bayern in a match against Borussia Dortmund on July 27. He made his Bundesliga debut on August 11, 2013.

On December 21, 2013, he scored his first goal for Bayern Munich. It was in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup final, which Bayern won 2–0. In January 2014, he scored his first Bundesliga goal. It was a fantastic scissor-kick goal against VfB Stuttgart. He also set a Bundesliga record with 185 touches of the ball in one game. His season ended early due to a knee injury. Even so, Bayern won the league and cup that year.

Thiago Training FC Bayern München-8
Thiago at a training session in 2015

After being out for over a year because of his injury, Thiago returned to play on April 4, 2015. He helped Bayern win the DFB-Pokal quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen by scoring in the penalty shootout. He also scored in the Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto. Bayern won his second Bundesliga title on April 26. He finished that season with two goals in 13 games.

Winning Many Trophies

On August 27, 2015, Thiago signed a new contract with Bayern. In February 2016, he scored in a 3–0 win in the 2015–16 DFB-Pokal quarter-final. He scored twice in a 5–0 win over Werder Bremen in March. Thiago also scored a key goal in a great comeback against Juventus in the Champions League. Bayern came back from 2–0 down to win 4–2. He ended the season with four goals and seven assists.

Thiago started the 2016–17 season by winning the 2016 DFL-Supercup. He scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 victory over Hertha BSC. He was named "Man of the Match" in a 3–0 win over RB Leipzig. In February 2017, he scored two goals and made one assist as Bayern beat Arsenal 5–1 in the Champions League. He signed a new contract until 2021. He scored nine goals and had nine assists that season.

20190428 DFL 1. Bundesliga FCN - FCB DSC 7551
Thiago during a Bundesliga game with Bayern in 2019

In the 2017–18 season, Thiago helped Bayern win the 2017 DFL-Supercup on penalties. He scored an equalizing goal against RB Leipzig in the 2017–18 DFB-Pokal. He also scored a header that helped Bayern beat Sevilla FC in the Champions League quarter-final. He finished the season with seven goals in 31 games.

Thiago Alcântara 2019
Thiago with Bayern in 2019

On August 12, 2018, Thiago scored in a 5–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Bayern won the 2018 DFL-Supercup. On May 18, 2019, Thiago won his sixth straight Bundesliga title with Bayern. A week later, he won his third DFB-Pokal as Bayern beat RB Leipzig 3–0.

In 2020, Thiago played for Bayern in the Champions League quarter-final against his old team, Barcelona. Bayern won that game 8–2. Thiago started in the 2020 UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern won their sixth Champions League title. This completed a "treble" for Bayern, as they also won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.

Liverpool and Retirement

2020–2022

On September 18, 2020, Premier League club Liverpool signed Thiago. He signed a four-year contract. Thiago made his debut for Liverpool on September 20. He came on as a substitute and helped Liverpool win 2–0 against Chelsea. He set a new Premier League record for most successful passes in 45 minutes as a substitute. On September 29, Liverpool announced Thiago had tested positive for COVID-19.

On October 17, 2020, Thiago played his second game for Liverpool in a 2–2 draw against Everton. He got a knee injury during that game and was out for several months. He returned to play on December 30. On May 8, 2021, Thiago scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2–0 win over Southampton.

On November 24, 2021, Thiago scored a great 25-yard goal. It was his first goal of the 2021–22 season. This was in a 2–0 home win for Liverpool against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League.

Final Seasons and Retirement

On February 27, 2022, Thiago was supposed to start the 2022 EFL Cup final. But he got injured during the warm-up. Liverpool went on to win the cup on penalties. On April 19, Thiago received a standing ovation from fans for his amazing performance against Manchester United. On May 14, 2022, Thiago started in the 2022 FA Cup final. Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties, and Thiago scored his penalty. This was his second trophy with Liverpool. He was named Liverpool's player of the month for April 2022. Liverpool almost won four trophies that season, but they finished second in the Premier League and Champions League. His great playing earned him a spot in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year.

2022-07-21 Fußball, Männer,Freundschaftsspiel, RB Leipzig - FC Liverpool 1DX 2067 by Stepro (Thiago Alcântara)
Thiago playing for Liverpool in 2022

On July 30, 2022, Thiago helped Liverpool win the 2022 FA Community Shield. He played 28 games in the 2022–23 season. However, he missed the rest of the season after hip surgery in May 2023. Liverpool just missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League that season. He returned to play on February 4, 2024, after 284 days out. But he got another muscle injury in that game. On May 17, 2024, it was announced he would leave Liverpool.

On July 7, 2024, news came out that Thiago would retire from professional football. The next day, he officially announced his retirement on social media.

International Career

As a citizen of both Brazil and Spain, Thiago could choose to play for either country. He chose to play for Spain.

Youth Teams

Thiago Alcântara Spain U21
Thiago in an under-21 international, 2011

He played in the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship for Spain. He helped his country win the tournament and scored in the final game. Thiago was a key player when Spain won the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He scored a goal from 40 yards in the final against Switzerland. He was named the "Man of the Match" for that final.

On June 18, 2013, he scored three goals (a hat-trick) in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final. Spain beat Italy 4–2 to win their fourth title.

Senior National Team

Ukr-Spain2015 (16)
Thiago playing for Spain in October 2015

Thiago played his first game for Spain's senior team in a friendly match against Italy on August 10, 2011. His first official game was on September 6, 2011, in a Euro 2012 qualifying match. He missed Euro 2012 and the 2012 Summer Olympics because of an injury.

Thiago was named in Spain's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, he had to leave the squad due to a knee injury he got while playing for Bayern. On October 6, 2017, he scored his first goal for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Albania. In May 2018, he was chosen for Spain's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He played in two matches during the tournament. In May 2021, Thiago was included in the team for UEFA Euro 2020. He was not chosen for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player in July 2024, Thiago joined the coaching staff at his old club Barcelona. He is working with his former Bayern coach, Hansi Flick.

How He Played

UEFA EURO qualifiers Sweden vs Spain 20191015 Thiago Alcantara and KRistoffer Olsson 2
Thiago on the ball for Spain against Sweden in 2019

Thiago was a very creative and skilled playmaker. He was excellent at dribbling and controlling the ball. This allowed him to play well as a central midfielder. He could also play further forward as an attacking midfielder. In 2013, another famous player, Xavi, called him "an extraordinary player." Thiago was known for his very accurate passes. He had great passing technique and vision. He often had a very high pass success rate. Despite being a world-class midfielder, Thiago often had problems with injuries during his career.

Personal Life

Thiago is the son of Mazinho, a Brazilian former footballer who won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. His mother, Valéria Alcântara, was a former Brazilian volleyball player. His younger brother, Rafinha, also plays football. Rodrigo, another footballer who played for Spain, is a lifelong friend.

On June 27, 2015, Thiago married his girlfriend, Júlia Vigas, in Spain.

He has dual citizenship, meaning he is a citizen of both Brazil and Spain.

Thiago is also multilingual. He can speak five languages fluently: Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, German, and English.

Career Statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 2007–08 Tercera División 5 0 5 0
2008–09 Segunda División B 25 0 25 0
2009–10 Segunda División B 13 2 5 1 18 3
2010–11 Segunda División 11 0 11 0
Total 54 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 59 3
Barcelona 2008–09 La Liga 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2009–10 La Liga 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
2010–11 La Liga 12 2 3 1 1 0 1 0 17 3
2011–12 La Liga 27 2 8 2 7 0 3 0 45 4
2012–13 La Liga 27 2 7 1 2 0 0 0 36 3
Total 68 7 19 4 0 0 10 0 4 0 101 11
Bayern Munich 2013–14 Bundesliga 16 2 2 0 4 0 3 1 25 3
2014–15 Bundesliga 7 0 2 0 4 2 0 0 13 2
2015–16 Bundesliga 27 2 5 1 9 1 1 0 42 4
2016–17 Bundesliga 27 6 4 1 9 2 1 0 41 9
2017–18 Bundesliga 19 2 3 2 10 3 0 0 32 7
2018–19 Bundesliga 30 2 6 0 5 0 1 1 42 3
2019–20 Bundesliga 24 3 5 0 10 0 1 0 40 3
Total 150 17 27 4 0 0 51 8 7 2 235 31
Liverpool 2020–21 Premier League 24 1 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 30 1
2021–22 Premier League 25 1 4 0 0 0 10 1 39 2
2022–23 Premier League 18 0 3 0 1 0 5 0 1 0 28 0
2023–24 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 68 2 9 0 1 0 19 1 1 0 98 3
Career total 341 28 56 8 1 0 80 9 12 3 488 48

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2011 3 0
2012 0 0
2013 1 0
2014 1 0
2015 2 0
2016 11 0
2017 7 1
2018 9 1
2019 3 0
2020 2 0
2021 7 0
Total 46 2
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Thiago goal.
List of international goals scored by Thiago
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 October 2017 Estadio José Rico Pérez, Alicante, Spain  Albania 3–0 3–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 27 March 2018 Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain  Argentina 4–1 6–1 Friendly

Honours

Spain national under-21 football team 2011
Thiago (number 19) lining up with the Spanish team that won the 2011 European Under-21 Championship
LFC Parade 2022 03
Thiago celebrating winning the cup double in a trophy parade with Liverpool in 2022.

Barcelona

Bayern Munich

Liverpool

Spain U17

  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2008

Spain U21

Individual

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Thiago Alcántara para niños

  • List of Spain international footballers born outside Spain
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