Crowned Brazilian champion yesterday for the third time in its history, the first since 1995, the Botafogo he lived days of great exaltation. The Rio de Janeiro club achieved a historic double, also winning the Copa Libertadores, but 2024 is not over yet and could hold other joys: on Wednesday, in fact, the team from Arthur Jorge will face Pachuca in the semi-final of the Club World Cup: in case of victory, the Brazilian club will face Real Madrid in the final and for John Textor the appetite is eating: “I know we have a match against Pachuca and I don’t know what will come later. There might be that little Real Madrid team waiting, but first we have to earn our place…”.
Botafogo had relied on Artur Jorge after a season that had seen him finish the championship in fifth place with many regrets for a truly crazy second part of the season: first in August with a lead that seemed reassuring, he had collapsed week after week. Luiz Henrique (Real Betis), Gregore (Inter Miami), Jeferson Savarino (Salt Lake) and Lucas Halter (Atlético Paranaense) arrived immediately, while in the summer another 37.5 million euros were put on the table for Thiago Almada (Atlanta), Matheus Martins (Udinese) and Vitinho (Burnley). Alex Telles (ex Porto, Inter and Manchester United), Allan (ex Napoli and Everton) and Igor Jesus further strengthened the team.
Thanks to these additions and the work of the Portuguese coach, O Glorious One has achieved a perfect season: first the continental triumph, beating Hulk’s Atletico Mineiro in the final, then the championship triumph in front of Palmeiras, after a long battle which culminated with the 3-1 defeat given to the rivals at the end of November, in the direct clash of third to last day. Botafogo will also participate in the 2025 Club World Cup this summer: they have been drawn in a group with Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid and Seattle Sounders.