Botafogo published, on Tuesday night (30), an official note regarding the transfer ban imposed by FIFA. The club is prevented from signing athletes for three transfer windows due to non-payment to Atlanta United, from the United States, in the negotiation involving midfielder Thiago Almada.
According to , conversations have been underway since recent weeks with representatives of the North American club, with the aim of finding a solution to the case. However, negotiations were temporarily interrupted due to the year-end break.
also stated that he hopes to resolve the impasse as soon as possible and guaranteed that he will be active in the market at the opening of the next transfer window.
Note from Botafogo on the transferban imposed by FIFA:
Regarding FIFA’s recent sanction on athlete transfers, Botafogo reports that, in recent weeks, it held constructive conversations with representatives from MLS’ Atlanta United, seeking an agreement related to the case of Thiago Almada. The conversations were paused due to the year-end break and will resume soon. Botafogo hopes to have the issue resolved before the start or right at the beginning of the transfer window. The Club will be very active in signing players in January 2026.
Understand the punishment
The North American club sued FIFA due to the lack of payment of part of the amount agreed by Botafogo when signing attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, in 2024.
In addition to the ban on registering new athletes for the specified period, Botafogo was also ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay US$21 million (around R$114 million) to Atlanta United. There is no possibility of appealing against the decision. To cancel the punishment, the Rio club needs to pay off the debt with the MLS team.
Imbroglio between Botafogo and Atlanta United
In June 2024, Thiago Almada was purchased from Atlanta United for 22 million euros (around R$133 million at the time). In Glorioso’s view, payment should be made in installments over four years.
However, according to a document presented by Atlanta to FIFA, the amounts would have to be settled by June 30, 2026.
Thiago Almada
The 24-year-old Argentine was a key player in the Botafogo squad that won the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores in 2024. For Fogão, Almada played 26 games, with three goals and two assists.
At the end of his contract, Almada was loaned to Lyon, a club that also belongs to Eagle Holding Football, John Textor’s company.
After five months in France, the midfielder was sold permanently to Atlético de Madrid for 21 million euros.
