Botafogo is facing significant roster changes following its triumphant 2024 season, having secured both the Brasileirao and the Copa Libertadores, only to see 11 players and head coach Artur Jorge depart the club.
The most notable departure is coach Artur Jorge, who confirmed his move to Al-Rayyan in Qatar. Jorge's leadership saw the team achieve unprecedented success, and his exit marks both the end of an era and the beginning of yet another transitional phase for Botafogo.
Alongside Jorge, emblematic goalkeeper Gatito Fernández is set to leave after establishing himself as a club legend. Other key players such as Eduardo, Tchê Tchê, and Thiago Almada will also not be part of the squad moving forward. The departure list signifies the end of what many fans hope will be remembered as a magical season.
The reasons behind this mass exodus stem from the dynamics of football following the conclusion of the season, particularly for clubs riding high on the success wave. John Textor, the owner of Botafogo and one of the key figures behind the club's recent triumphs, is reportedly seeking to carefully assess the future structure of the team.
Textor stated, "Botafogo is assessing other names," indicating he is evaluating potential candidates to fill the voids left by departing players and the coach. This will be instrumental as the club prepares for its upcoming season.
The wave of interest from clubs both within Brazil and abroad has particularly circled around young star Luiz Henrique. The talented 24-year-old, who recently earned the title of 'Rei da América', has drawn significant interest from several European teams, including Fiorentina. Yet, Textor has made it clear—in discussions about the player's future—that he will not settle for anything less than 60 million euros (approximately R$381 million) for Luiz Henrique.
Despite the mounting pressure and offers on the table, Luiz Henrique has communicated to the Botafogo board his desire to move on, which complicates matters for the club as they look to maintain their competitive edge. Reports indicate he has received approaches from teams across the Premier League and Saudi Arabian league structures.
Last year, lucky for Botafogo, Henrique was signed from Real Betis for around 20 million euros (roughly R$106 million), but it seems they missed the perfect moment to cash out, especially considering they might have made even bigger profits had they capitalized on his skyrocketing market value sooner.
Even with the major player exits, there is some hope for the future. Botafogo’s management remains confident about maintaining core elements of the successful squad. For now, out of the 11 starting players who played the Libertadores final, only Almada and fellow defender Adryelson are confirmed to leave. This suggests the potential for continuity amid the changes.
What remains to be seen is how quickly the club can adjust to these losses and whether they can effectively rebuild. The end of the season has been characterized by remarkable success; balancing it with high turnover could be the defining challenge for the club as they prepare for the next competitive year.
Botafogo has historically been known for rallying top talent, and as they redefine their identity following this period of change, fans remain hopeful. They have the charms of success to draw prospects—now it’s up to the management to create stability amid the shifts.
Born out of this transformation, the coming season is poised to reveal both potential hurdles and opportunities for Botafogo as they strive to maintain their competitive stance.