O Botafogo returns to the field this Tuesday, at Nilton Santos, against Sportfor Brasileirão 2025. The confrontation takes place precisely at the moment when the Rio club signed the signing of 18-year-old defender Riquelme – a highlight of the red-black base and considered one of Sport’s main recent jewels.
Despite the coincidence of dates, Riquelme will not face Botafogo today. The defender was not listed by Sport for the match. The reason is that he is with Sport’s under-20 team in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil U20, in a duel at the same time (8:30 pm Brasília time), against Atlético-MG.
The young defender is in advanced negotiations to be bought by Botafogo for around R$7 milliona value corresponding to 70% of economic rights.
Riquelme, who was already part of Sport’s professional squad during the campaign that ended in relegation to Series B, should introduce himself to Botafogo at the beginning of 2026after the São Paulo Junior Football Cup. He should start with the under-20s, but training in the same environment as the main team at CT Lonier, allowing an easy transition between categories.
How teams arrive for the game
Botafogo lined up with:
Leo Linck; Vitinho, David Ricardo, Barboza, Alex Telles; Marlon Freitas, Danilo, Savarino; Jeffinho, Artur and Chris Ramos.
Technical: Davide Ancelotti.
Sport scaled with:
Gabriel; Aderlan, Rafael Thyere, Luan Cândido, Igor Cariús; Lucas Kal, Christian Rivera, Lucas Lima; Matheusinho, Léo Pereira and Pablo.
Technical: Cesar Lucena.
Riquelme does not even appear among the reserves.
Who is Riquelme?
Born in Luziápolis (AL), right-handed and 1.90m tall, Riquelme is considered one of Sport’s biggest recent promises. Team captain at MadCup Sub-19in Madrid, was elected best player of the tournamentleading the defense that did not concede a goal in the seven matches of the title campaign.
He arrived at Sport in 2022 after standing out in a Villarreal project, in Maceió. He signed a professional contract in 2024, valid until 2028, and is seen as a defender with great physical and technical potential.
Riquelme’s games in the Brasileirão
- Sport 1 x 5 Flamengo (15/11) – came on and played for 13 minutes
- Sport 2 x 4 Atlético-MG (08/11) – came on and played for 8 minutes
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