After a Remarkable 2024, What Can Botafogo Fans Expect From This Season?

The 2024 season will be on the mind of Botafogo's supporters for a long time. Just a year before thogh, the 2023 season had been very disappointing, when they found themselves on the top of the Brazilian league's table for several rounds only to finish the tournament in fifth place.

The story of the 2024 season had the same beginning from the previous one, with a lot of people in Brazil questioning if the result would be the same. However, even the most optimistic fan couldn't predict that Botafogo would win the Brazilian Serie A and the Copa Libertadores in the same season.

Botafogo had an incredible run in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, emerging as champions. This was their first-ever Copa Libertadores title, and they achieved it by defeating Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in the final, held at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Botafogo overcoming the odds despite being reduced to ten men just 30 seconds into the game.

The victory was a testament to Botafogo's resilience and determination. They not only secured the prestigious Copa Libertadores trophy but also earned the right to compete in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2025 Recopa Sudamericana trophy.

Most important players

Botafogo had several standout players in 2024 who played crucial roles in their successful season. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Luiz Henrique: He was the star of the season, winning the Rei da América (America's King) award for the best player in South America. His performance in the Copa Libertadores final, where he scored the opening goal and won the penalty for the second goal, was instrumental in Botafogo's victory.

• Thiago Almada: The Atlanta United/USA transfer, played as an attacking midfielder, providing creativity and vision in the midfield. His contributions were essential in both the Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores campaigns.
• Jefferson Savarino: The former Real Salt Lake/USA player had consistent performances throughout the season that were vital for the team's success.
• Júnior Santos: He was the overall top scorer for Botafogo with 20 goals in all competitions despite being injured for many weeks. His ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments made him a key player.

• Igor Jesus: A significant addition to Botafogo in July from Shabab Al Ahli and quickly made an impact. The 23-year-old striker performances earned him a call-up to the Brazil national team, where he made his debut in October 2024.

Who is leaving the club?

After the game against Pachuca/MEX in the 2024 Club World Championship, several players already knew that their time with the club was coming to an end. The club had many departures already, including:

• Head coach Artur Jorge, who decided to leave the club and accept an offer from Al-Rayyan/QAT. He was hired in April 2024 and had 55 games with the club.

• Thiago Almada is also leaving for another club in John Textor's network: Lyon from Ligue 1 in France. He was brought in the middle of the season for 25 million dollars from Atlanta United.

• Junior Santos is also leaving, going to Atlético/BRA, the Copa Libertadores 2024 runner-up. Botafogo accepted an offer of eight million dollars for the player, a sizeable dollar amount for an interleague transfer.

There are also several important players who had their contracts expired and will not stay for the 2025 season, including Tche Tche, Marçal, Gatito Fernandez, and Eduardo. There are also players like Pablo and Adryelson who were on loan and are returning to their clubs. And Rafael decided to retire at the end of the 2024 season.

Tiquinho Soares, who didn't have the same role as in the 2023 season, was involved in an exchange with Santos to bring the young center back Jair.

Who is arriving?

The club will need to rebuild for the 2025 season as they lost the head coach, main starters, and many players who were important for the team coming from the bench. The club is still looking for a new head coach and just a few signings were already announced:

• Jeffinho: The winger was acquired back from Lyon/FRA for 5.3 million euros. He was on loan to Botafogo in the 2024 season already, but he was injured for over four months.
• Jair: The center back was acquired in an exchange that will get Tiquinho Soares to Santos/BRA. Botafogo will also pay 14 million dollars.
• Leo Linck: goalkeeper is arriving from Athletico-PR/BRA.

There are still several rumors of players who would be negotiating with the current Copa Libertadores champion: including Cucho Hernandez, the striker from the Columbus Crew/USA.

How is the 2025 season going so far?

In Brazil, the season starts with the regional and states championships. On these tournaments, there are many small clubs which are not even in the Brazilian's fourth and last official division. These championships start early in the season when most top-flight teams are returning from vacations. So, it's common that the best teams will only dress their best players only after a few matchdays are already underway.

This year the state tournaments started even earlier due to the Club World Cup that will happen in the middle of this season and will have four Brazilian teams participating. The main Brazilian tournaments will be paused in June-July, so the Brazilian teams can focus on that FIFA official competition.

Botafogo already played three games in the Rio de Janeiro championship also known as "Campeonato Carioca". The team had players from their academy (U20) and others who returned from loans.

Botafogo faced a surprising defeat in the opening match of the Campeonato Carioca, losing 2-1 to Maricá at Nilton Santos Stadium. Despite not fielding their main squad, Botafogo struggled to find their rhythm against the newly promoted team. The match highlighted areas for improvement as the team looks to bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.

In the second matchday, Botafogo bounced back from the first-round upset in the Campeonato Carioca with a solid 2-0 victory over Portuguesa at Nilton Santos. Fielding a completely reserve team, they controlled the first half and, despite some nervous moments in the second half, secured a well-deserved win with goals from Kauê and Kayke.

And in the third one, Botafogo faced a tough match against Sampaio Corrêa, losing 2-1 in Saquarema. Despite a strong start, the team found themselves trailing 2-0 after goals from Pernão and Guilherme. The game took a turn when Ryan was sent off, leaving Botafogo to capitalize on the defensive gaps. Serafim managed to score late in the game, but the final moments were chaotic, with Zé Carlos being sent off and Marreta stepping in as the goalkeeper for Sampaio Corrêa.

The first team should be available only on the fifth matchday, next weekend, when they will face Volta Redonda at Nilton Santos stadium.

Cover: Botafogo / X