Gastschrijver: Botafogo
3 juni 2025Botafogo Sailing Club was founded on July 1st of 1894, at Botafogo’s beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the time, sailing was the number one sport for the “Cariocas” (people who were born in Rio). Botafogo’s boat Diva won 22 races and was State Tournament Champion in 1899, and this is why Botafogo is the only Brazilian club to be three centuries’ champions. Also, Botafogo is the first Rio de Janeiro club to be Nacional Champion, in 1902.
History of Botafogo Football Club
In 1904, Botafogo Football Club was founded, initially called “Electro Club”, and won the first State Tournament in 1906. Four years later, in 1910, Botafogo was dominant and received the nickname “Glorioso” after winning once again the State Tournament with huge wins against the other teams. Botafogo is the only Rio de Janeiro club to be a Four-Times State Champion (1932-1935). Botafogo Football and Sailing (Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas) was founded after the fusion of Botafogo Sailing Club and Botafogo Football Club in 1942. Both teams were playing a basketball match and suddenly a player passed away on the court. After that, both presidents sealed the fusion of the clubs. Botafogo was the structure of Brazilian National Team by the years of 1930, 1934, 1938 and the World Champion squad in 1958 and 1962, with Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Didi, Quarentinha, Amarildo, Paulo Valentim and Zagallo.
SAF Botafogo was implemented in April 2022, when John Textor bought 90% of Botafogo’s stocks. Since then, the club has started rebuilding, investing in structure, players and professionals. 2024 was the greatest year, winning the National Championship and Copa Libertadores, an achievement that a few Brazilian teams have ever done. Botafogo won 3 Campeonatos Brasileiros (1968, 1995 and 2024), Copa Conmebol Libertadores (2024), Copa Conmebol (1993), 21 Campeonatos Cariocas (1907, 1910, 1912, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1948, 1957, 1961,1962, 1967, 1968, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2018) and 4 Torneios Rio-São Paulo (1962, 1964, 1966 and 1998).
Botafogo Academy
Botafogo Academy’s first steps were very informal, with friendly matches and regional tournaments. They used to train at General Severiano until around 1950. The academy had different training centers during the last decades (Caio Martins and Marechal Hermes). Although the difficult times with money problems the club Botafogo had developed outstanding players like: Pedrosa, Heleno de Freitas, Garrincha, Jairzinho, Nilton Santos, Didi, Paulo César Caju and Josimar. At the XXI century, Botafogo formed good players and young talents, we can name some of the most prestigious: Andrew (GK), Doria (CB), Gilberto (CB), Igor Rabello (CB), Marcelo Benevenuto (CB), Kanu (CB), Matheus Fernandes (CDM), Vitinho (LW), Luis Henrique (LW) and Matheus Nascimento (ST). In 2016, Botafogo U20 won the National Championship against Corinthians by 2-0 (Yuri and Kanu scored the goals), making 3-1 on aggregate.
Botafogo Academy training center is located at Nilton Santos Stadium, the first team home field. Our players have a full gym, three turf pitches (stadium, side field and mini field), all meals (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack), and supplementation. For the academy, Botafogo has eight departures: Medical, Physiotherapy, Fitness, Physiologist, Nutrition, Psychologist, Social Services and communication. Botafogo Academy starts at U9 and goes to U20, with some athletes playing indoor football as well.
In 2024, Botafogo won the National Championship and Copa Libertadores, with a roster filled with academy players: Devid Richard, Fabiano, Hugo, Kauê, Kawan, Lucas Barreto, Matheus Nascimento and Yarlen. In 2025, Botafogo used U20 players at the State Tournament and some players were standouts: Kayke, scoring 3 goals in 9 matches, Rafael Lobato, with 2 assists, and Yarlen, that played both sides and showed great skills.
Seven values at Botafogo:
- Courage
- Respect
- Ambition
- Teamwork
- Excellence
- Creativity
- Passion
Also, a purpose: To be a competitive and sustainable club, combining its traditional and glorious history with the best modern practices, aiming to develop talent, win titles, bring joy to its fans and contribute to the growth and evolution of Brazilian soccer.
With the implementation of SAF, Botafogo Academy improved a lot. The training pitch is FIFA-quality PRO turf; the athletes use Nilton Santos and Lonier Training Center facilities and compete on international and national tournaments. Playing high-level matches and facing different football styles is what Botafogo wants, preparing and developing better players. In 2025, Botafogo U15 won Pioneros Tournament U16 silver series, at Montevideo, Uruguay, after beating Racing (ARG) at the final. The players faced on finals, Defensa Y Justicia (1 x 0), Universitario (2 x 1) and after a draw without goals against Racing, won the penalties (5 x 4) and lifted the trophy. Currently playing the state tournament, with the final match scheduled for July 5th.
Marveld U15 Tournament is one of the most important and relevant tournaments for the academy scenario. Certainly, playing against big clubs on good fields, facing different situations, will be part of the preparation of those youths.
By: Henrique Azeredo Botafogo Communications
Dit artikel is ook te lezen in het Programmaboek van het Marveldtoernooi 2025.
