Soccer-From fallen giants to giant-killers: Botafogo's remarkable revival
By Fernando Kallas HT Image
June 22 - Once Brazilian football royalty, Botafogo had languished for decades as a debt-ridden sleeping giant before they toppled Paris St Germain at the Club World Cup to cap a resurrection tale three years in the making.
When American entrepreneur John Textor acquired the club in 2022, fresh from their promotion back to Brazil's first division, he took on a training ground so decrepit that then-coach Luis Castro dismissed it as "good for parking cars," alongside crushing liabilities exceeding one billion reais .
Botafogo were a storied but shattered institution. The club that once nurtured Brazilian greats - Garrincha, Zagallo, Jairzinho and Nilton Santos, architects of three World Cup triumphs - was drowning in debt, having endured the humiliation of relegation three times in just over a decade.
On Thursday, they outplayed European champions Paris St Germain to win 1-0 in the Club World Cup's most eye-catching upset, propelling themselves to the top of the tournament's "group of death" and on the verge of the knockout stage.
Their squad, assembled through shrewd bargain-hunting in football's forgotten corners, now faces Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles on Monday, sitting comfortably, knowing even a two-goal defeat would still secure their passage to the round of 16.
The victory over PSG vindicated Textor's vision, outlined in a Reuters interview three years prior, of "beating the system" through astute scouting in under-explored talent pools.
The architects of Thursday's victory exemplified this approach. Match-winner Igor Jesus arrived as a free agent after three anonymous years in the UAE and was transformed into a Brazil international.
Argentine defender Alexander Barboza, who neutralised PSG's vaunted attack, was plucked from Paraguay's Club Libertad for nothing.
Captain Marlon Freitas came from second-division Atletico Goianiense, while experienced European campaigners Alex Telles and Allan were revitalised after spells in Middle Eastern leagues.
Gregore, Jefferson Savarino, John and Cuiabano were all signed for under two million euros each.
"The goal is to be sustainably competitive every year," Botafogo CEO Thairo Arruda told Reuters. "With a top six payroll, we produce like a top three."
The transformation extends far beyond the pitch. Revenues have soared from 140 million reais in 2022 to projected earnings exceeding 1.1 billion by 2025, while liabilities have been slashed by 40%. Textor's Eagle Football empire also encompasses stakes in Ligue 1's Olympique Lyonnais and Premier League Crystal Palace.
Botafogo's renaissance - crowned by last year's domestic and continental double - has breathed new life into a club motto once heavy with self-pity: "There are things that only happen to Botafogo." After outclassing Europe's elite, those words now carry an altogether sweeter resonance.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
20 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Dollar firms as markets brace for Iran response to US attacks
The U.S. dollar firmed slightly on Monday as anxious investors sought safety, although the moves were muted so far suggesting markets were waiting for Iran's response to U.S. attacks on its nuclear sites that have exacerbated tension in the Middle East. ADVERTISEMENT The major moves were in the oil market, with oil prices hitting a five-month high, while global stocks slipped in the first market reaction to the U.S. attacks over the weekend. In currency markets, the dollar advanced broadly against most rivals. It was up 0.25% against the Japanese yen at 146.415 after touching a one-month high earlier in the session. The euro was 0.33% lower at $1.1484, while the Australian dollar, often seen as risk proxy, weakened 0.2% to $0.6437, hovering near its lowest level in over three weeks. That left the dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six other units, 0.12% higher at 99.037. Sterling was 0.25% lower at $1.34175, while the New Zealand dollar also fell 0.24% to $0.5952. Carol Kong, currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said the markets are in wait-and-see mode on how Iran responds, with more worries about the positive inflationary impact of the conflict than the negative economic impact. ADVERTISEMENT "The currency markets will be at the mercy of comments and actions from the Iranian, Israeli and U.S. governments. The risks are clearly skewed to further upside in the safe haven currencies if the parties escalate the conflict." Iran vowed to defend itself a day after the U.S. dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs onto the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site. American leaders urged Tehran to stand down while pockets of anti-war protests emerged in U.S. cities. ADVERTISEMENT In a step towards what is widely seen as Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West, its parliament approved a move to close the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly a quarter of global oil shipments pass through the narrow waters that Iran shares with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. "Markets appear to be treating the U.S. strikes on Iran as a contained event for now, rather than the start of a broader war," said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo. ADVERTISEMENT "The muted haven flows suggest investors are still assuming this is a one-off escalation, not a disruption to global oil supply or trade." While the dollar has reprised its role as a safe haven due to the rapid escalation in geopolitical tension, the relatively muted moves suggested investors remain wary of going all in on the greenback. ADVERTISEMENT The U.S. currency has dropped 8.6% this year against its major rivals as economic uncertainty from President Donald Trump's tariffs and concern over their impact on U.S. growth has led to investors scurrying for alternatives. In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin was up 1.3% in early trading after dropping about 4% on Sunday, while ether rose 2.3% on Monday after sliding 9% in the previous session. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Club World Cup 2025: Real Madrid Dominate Pachuca To Seal 3-1 Win Despite Early Red Card
Last Updated: Real faced a setback just seven minutes into the match when Raul Asencio received a straight red card for pulling down Salomon Rondon, who had a clear path to goal. Real Madrid overcame an early red card to secure a 3-1 victory over Mexico's Pachuca, taking a significant step towards the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday. With the win, Madrid, led by new head coach Xabi Alonso, tops Group H with four points, while Pachuca is eliminated after two defeats. Saudi club Al Hilal, who held Real to a draw in their opener, face second-placed Salzburg later on Sunday. The Spanish giants faced a setback just seven minutes into the match when Raul Asencio received a straight red card for pulling down Salomon Rondon, who had a clear path to goal. This situation gave Pachuca hope for an upset in front of 70,248 fans at the home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers. Pachuca came close to scoring when Brazilian Kenedy's shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois, and the Belgian goalkeeper made a brilliant save on Alan Bautista's follow-up attempt. However, Real Madrid managed to control the game in midfield, slowing the pace and limiting Pachuca's opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute with a well-executed team goal. Gonzalo Garcia's clever flick released Fran Garcia down the left, who then passed to Jude Bellingham. Bellingham took the ball in stride and scored with a left-footed shot into the corner. Just before halftime, Real doubled their lead. Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a low cross from the right, and Arda Guler collected Gonzalo's deft lay-off to fire home. The outcome was sealed in the 70th minute when Federico Valverde scored following a smart exchange with Brahim Diaz. Pachuca finally got on the scoreboard when Elias Montiel's shot deflected off Aurelien Tchouameni and wrong-footed Courtois. Alonso, celebrating his first victory as Real coach, praised his team's handling of the early setback. 'We had to defend with one player less for almost the entire game, which made it intense for us. But we showed a lot of sacrifice and solidarity in our defence, which is what's needed," he said. 'We waited for our chances, so I was really pleased with the performance with a player less," he added. (with inputs from AFP) About the Author Siddarth Sriram First Published: June 23, 2025, 08:00 IST
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
On This Day In 1979: West Indies Crowned Cricket World Cup Champions At Lord's
On this day in 1979, West Indies won their 2nd Cricket World Cup, beating England by 92 runs. Viv Richards hit 138*, and Joel Garner took 5 wickets at Lord's to seal victory. On This Day In 1979: The mighty West Indies playing under their inspirational skipper Clive Lloyd were crowned World Cup champions on this day. The Calypso Kings flexed their dominance in world cricket by lifting the prestigious trophy for the second consecutive time. Lloyd's men hammered England in the 1979 Prudential World Cup final played at Lord's after a comprehensive display. Unleashing their battery of renowned quicks and flamboyant set of batters, West Indies pulverised the Englishmen, who were left regretting the decision to bowl first on a good batting surface on this day in 1979. The legendary Sir Vivian Richards bossed the England attack in one of the most memorable knocks played in World Cup history. The charismatic right-hander was at his freeflowing best as he smashed138 not out off 157 deliveries, including 11 fours and 3 maximums. Richards sent the Mike Brearley-led England side on a leather hunt and recorded a strike rate of 87.89, which was unheard of in the early years of One-Day Internationals. It was the most glorious innings that helped West Indies overcome multiple hiccups at the other end. Reduced to 4 down for 99 at one stage, West Indies had Richards combining with the aggressive Collis King in the most brutal counterattacking stand of 139 runs for the fifth wicket. Notably, King dominated the partnership with the maestro and ended with an amazing 86 off 66 deliveries. Even as King fell after his breathtaking knock, Richards stood in no mood to relent and kept attacking the English attack that needed to create inroads into the lower order to restrict the West Indies to an imposing 286/9 after 60 overs in the second World Cup final played. Sir Ian Botham took 2 for 44 for England in his 12 overs. During the run-chase, the stark difference between the two teams' powerhitting game stood exposed. Captain Brearley and Geoffrey Boycott batted painstakingly slow at the top of the innings. In a 129-run opening partnership that would've fit perfectly in a Test match against the new, moving ball, Brearley took 130 deliveries to make 64 while Boycott ended with 57 off his 105-ball stay. That pushed the asking rate through the roof against a Caribbean attack that offered no respite. Both Brearley and Boycott were removed by the great Michael Holding before the tall Joel Garner got into the act and scripted a fifer in a World Cup final for the West Indies. The fiery spell ran through the English middle-order as Graham Gooch's 32 ended up being the third-highest score on a disappointing scorecard. England could only muster 194 all out in their response in 51 overs, not even managing to bat the full quota of overs. About the Author First Published: June 23, 2025, 07:20 IST
