We, the fans of Botafogo, we are living in a historic moment. We have reached the 100 games in the Brazilian Championship in the SAF era and we have already placed ourselves among the favorites, sharing space with Flamengo and Palmeiras.
Although we are still looking for our first title, more than half of the time since 2022 has been in the G6, showing our evolution. Now, we face the Bahia, our “thorn in the side”, with great anticipation. Let’s follow every detail of this battle together.
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The SAF Revolution
In January 2022, we, Botafogo fans, witnessed a historic moment: 722 members voted in favor of the sale of the Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF) to the American businessman John Textor.
This move marked the beginning of a new era for Alvinegro, a phase that promised significant changes and robust investments.
Two and a half years later, we are living a reality that seemed unattainable not long ago. Botafogo, under the leadership of coach Artur Jorge, reaches its 100th game in the SAF era facing Bahia, one of the new rivals in this era of foreign investment.
Evolution in the Brazilian Championship
Since the beginning of the SAF era, Botafogo has accumulated 163 points in 99 games, coming close to Flamengo's 169 points and still far from Palmeiras' 192 points, the current two-time Brazilian champion.
Although we have not yet won a major title, our team is positioned as one of the favorites, alongside Flamengo and Palmeiras. With significant investment, especially in 2024, Botafogo has established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the national scene.
Investments and Recruitment
John Textor's investment in Botafogo is impressive. In 2024, more than R$320 million was invested in building the squad, with three players surpassing the R$60 million mark: Thiago Almada (R$120.6 million), Luiz Henrique (R$85.9 million) and Matheus Martins (R$61.1 million). This is, by far, the year in which the club spent the most, more than double the first two seasons combined, when we invested around R$114 million in the team.
Performance in the Brazilian Championship
Our performance in the Brasileirão has been solid. In 2022, we went from a team struggling to avoid relegation to almost securing a place in the Libertadores, thanks to a late surge after the first transfer window. At the start of the following year, we had a near-perfect performance, accumulating 47 points in the first half of the season, our best performance in history. Despite the loss of coach Luís Castro, which caused turmoil and the dramatic loss of the title, we secured a place in the Pre-Libertadores.
The Current Season
This season, under Artur Jorge's command since April, we are leading the Brazilian Championship with 46 points and are in the quarter-finals of the Conmebol Libertadores, where we face São Paulo. Unfortunately, we were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil by Bahia. However, our overall performance has been consistent and promising.
Challenges and Achievements
We have faced significant challenges along the way. The loss of Luis Castro was a huge blow, but we have managed to bounce back. Furthermore, we have faced Bahia three times this season and have yet to win. However, with players like Luis Henrique, who recently stated that he is not injured and has expressed his appreciation for his return to Brazil, we are confident that we can overcome these obstacles.
The Role of Tchê Tchê
One of the highlights of our team is Tchê Tchê, who has proven to be a versatile player, returning to the right side and playing multiple roles on the field. His versatility has been crucial to our performance.
Negotiations and Future
Negotiations to further strengthen the squad continue. Recently, there were difficulties in negotiating with Vitinho, but we made an enquiry about Iván Ramírez, Libertad's full-back. We continue to explore options to ensure that our team is always competitive.
Reflection and Expectations
As we celebrate our 100 games in the SAF era, we reflect on how far we have come and what we still need to achieve. We are among the favorites, but the quest for our first title continues. With our lead in the Brasileirão and our presence in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores, we are optimistic about the future.
Conclusion
Botafogo’s journey in the SAF era has been full of challenges and achievements. With significant investment, strategic management and a talented squad, we are stronger than ever. The match against Bahia is just another step in our quest for the title, and we are ready to give it our all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Botafogo perform in the 100 games of the SAF era?
In 100 games, Botafogo accumulated 163 points, staying 60% of the time in the G6 of the Brasileirão.
Who are Botafogo's main rivals in the SAF era?
The main rivals are Flamengo and Palmeiras, with Botafogo competing to match their scores.
How many points did Botafogo win compared to Flamengo and Palmeiras?
Botafogo obtained 163 points, compared to 169 points for Flamengo and 192 points for Palmeiras.
What was the most significant investment in the SAF era?
The biggest were Thiago Almada for R$ 120.6 million, Luiz Henrique for R$ 85.9 million and Matheus Martins for R$ 61.1 million.
In which competitions did Botafogo stand out the most in the SAF era?
It stood out in the Brasileirão, maintaining prolonged leadership, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Libertadores.
What is Botafogo's next game and against whom?
The next game is against Bahia, at Arena Fonte Nova, at 4 pm.
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