Club World Cup Profile: Botafogo

The third South American team that will feature on the global stage of the Club World Cup is Brazilian giant Botafogo. The club has won 35 trophies in its history as a club. The Série A side has been placed in arguably one of the toughest groups of this year’s tournament as they are competing in Group B alongside Ligue One and Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain, La Liga side Atlético Madrid, and MLS side Seattle Sounders. Botafogo open their CWC campaign against Seattle Sounders on June 15 at Lumen Field with kickoff set for 10:00 PM ET.

Route to Qualification:

Botafogo earned qualification for this year’s Club World Cup after their 3-1 win over Atlético Miniero in the 2024 Copa Libertadores. It was Botafogo’s first ever Copa Libertadores title. Luiz Henrique, Alex Telles, and Junior Santos were the goalscorers.

Historical Facts:

Late 19th century to 1904- Club de Regatas Botafogo was established. In 1904, Botafogo Football Club was established. BFC was originally known as Electro Club. Club de Regatas Botafogo and Electro Club were competing against each other in many different sports for 38 years before the two clubs merged in 1942 to become Botafogo.

1932-1935- Botafogo achieved an incredible milestone. The Brazilian side won four straight Rio State Championships.

1948- Nilton Santos joined the club. The Brazilian leftback was a key figure for Botafogo as he played for them from 1948 to 1964. He helped Botafogo win their ninth state title in 1948.

1953- Brazilian legend Garrincha joined the club. He scored more than 240 goals in 612 appearances for Botafogo.

1989- Botafogo won their first title in 20 years after a 1-0 win over Flamengo in the Rio State Championship.

1995- Won their second national title. Former Botafogo player Tulio was crucial to Botafogo’s success with 23 goals.

2002- Experienced relegation to Série B after finishing last in Série A. The club would experience relegation once again 18 years later.

2024- A year of dominance for Botafogo. After winning their first Copa Libertadores title, the Série A side won the Brazilian league title for the first time since 1995 after their 2-1 win over Sao Paulo. Jefferson Savarino and Gregore were the goalscorers.

Most Important Player: Jefferson Savarino

(courtesy of FIFA)

There have been some significant player departures from Botafogo. For example talented striker Igor Jesus, Jair Cuiabano and Jair Cunha are headed to Premier League side Nottingham Forest. However, there are still players at Botafogo who can make an impact. Jefferson Savarino is currently Botafogo’s most important player. The 27 year old Venezuelan international has 10 goals and eight assists in 34 matches for Botafogo.

Potential Breakout Player: Álvaro Montoro

A potential breakout player to watch for Botafogo during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is Argentinian wonderkid Álvaro Montoro. The new $9M signing is regarded as one of the best young talents of South American football and received plenty of European interest before making the move to Botafogo. During the COMNEBOL Libertadores, he had three goals and one assist in four matches with Argentina side Velez Sarsfield. It will be interesting to see how quickly Álvaro Montoro adapts to Botafogo and if Botafogo business owner John Textor will decide to have Montoro sent to Ligue One side Lyon (another club owned by the American businessman) if he does well with Botafogo.

Season Outlook:

The national league season has just begun for Botafogo as they started league play at the end of March. They are currently in sixth place in Série A with 18 points 5W-3D-3L out of 11 matches played so far. They are four points behind fourth place Palmeiras with 22 points.

Outside of the national league, Botafogo has so far been on a good run. After their 4-1 aggregate win over Capital in the third round of the Copa do Brasil, they are going to face Bragantino in the of Round of 16 of the Copa Do Brasil. The first leg match will be on July 30 with kickoff TBD followed by the second leg match on August 6 with kickoff TBD. Additionally, Botafogo have advanced to the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores after finishing in second place of Group A during the group stage with 12 points and 4W-0D-2L out of six matches played. Estudiantes finished in first place ahead of Botafogo due to goal difference as the two sides both grabbed 12 points during their group stage matches. Botafogo will now take on Ecuadorian side LDU Quito in the Round of 16. The first leg match will be on August 14th with kickoff set for 6:00 PM ET followed by the second leg match on August 21 with kickoff set for 6:00 PM ET. They are now looking to represent their country proudly and attempt to win a title at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.