FIFA has handed Botafogo a new transfer ban, this time with an indefinite duration, marking the third such punishment currently hanging over the Brazilian club. The previous two bans prohibited the registration of new players for three transfer windows each.
The fresh sanction was triggered by an unpaid debt related to the acquisition of Thiago Almada from Atlanta United. Although the club made an initial payment of $10 million, subsequent installments under the agreement signed in February have fallen behind schedule. Along with the transfer fee, a penalty has been imposed for the delayed payment.
Botafogo hopes that FIFA will honor a preliminary injunction issued before the club’s judicial recovery process and suspend these punishments. The first active transfer ban, dating from April 20, stems from a debt owed to Ludogorets over the signing of Rwan Cruz. The second is linked to the arrival of Santi Rodríguez from New York City.
According to the club’s 2025 financial report, Botafogo still owes approximately 1.1 billion Brazilian reais solely in player acquisition costs. Despite this delicate financial situation, the club posted a record gross revenue of 1.44 billion reais. Interestingly, the main revenue driver was player trading, which generated 733 million reais—a 661% increase over the previous year.
The strong figures were boosted by the sales of Luiz Henrique to Zenit (Russia) and Thiago Almada to Atlético de Madrid (Spain). Sporting prize money also contributed significantly, totaling 269 million reais, alongside income from members (52 million reais) and licensing and merchandise sales (60 million reais). Botafogo was one of four Brazilian clubs, alongside Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Fluminense, to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
