The 2024 season has not yet ended, but it already marks the phase of the highest investment for Botafogo’s SAF, with over R$ 360 million invested, including the imminent arrival of left-back Vitinho. This information comes from the Globo Esporte portal.
The amount represents not only a restructuring of the squad but also the end of a cycle for many players. Only one of the reinforcements signed in the first window of the John Textor era remains in the Glorioso’s squad: midfielder Tchê Tchê.
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The John Textor era
John Textor took control of Botafogo in early 2022, after the club won the Série B title, with the challenge of rebuilding the squad. At that time, 11 players were signed to strengthen the team.
As of 2024, three of those athletes have already been loaned out: Patrick de Paula, Sampaio, and Gustavo Sauer. Patrick, who was the first major acquisition, costing R$ 33 million, was sent to Criciúma after a serious injury, in search of more playing time.
Radical change
Botafogo’s transition since the creation of SAF reveals a radical change in just over two years. The club, which faced a severe financial crisis and finished at the bottom of the Brasileirão in 2020, now finds itself in a completely different scenario.
With the influx of new resources, the management initially needed to attract players with contracts above market value. However, effective management has transformed Botafogo into an attractive club, capable of assembling an even stronger squad, which has reduced the space for some of the athletes from the first wave.
Under John Textor’s leadership, Botafogo boasts the largest investment in Brazilian football in 2024 and continues to search the market for a defender to complete the squad, aiming for victories in the Libertadores and the Campeonato Brasileiro.
Tchê Tchê
Remaining from this first phase, Tchê Tchê is now one of the leaders of the squad but faces uncertainty regarding his future. With a contract valid until December 2024, the midfielder has not yet been approached to discuss a renewal, although he has expressed interest in continuing at the club, having already adapted well to the team and the city.
