Botafogo has deepened its financial problems following the final ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the Thiago Almada case, which obligates the Rio de Janeiro-based club to pay $21 million to Atlanta United for the Argentine's transfer. According to the Argentine News Agency, the ruling has left the Brazilian club with no room for maneuver, as it had appealed in all possible instances to avoid the payment. Now, the club risks being banned from the next transfer market if it fails to settle the debt. In an official statement published on its website, Botafogo acknowledged its legal defeat and assured that it will take measures to face the situation. Atlanta had filed the lawsuit in November 2024 after the non-payment of the first two installments, which were due in July and September, months in which Almada was already shining in Brazil after arriving from MLS. Almada played for Botafogo between August and December 2024, a period during which he won the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirão before continuing his career at Lyon, a club also owned by John Textor. However, the businessman never paid the transfer fee to Atlanta United, which led to the lawsuit that now seriously threatens the 'Fogao'. In its statement, the club also informed that Textor has presented a financing proposal to the Eagle partners to settle debts with FIFA and secure a budget for the next transfer window. Meanwhile, the sporting and financial outlook remains uncertain. Botafogo will have to comply with the payment to avoid a ban and sustain its project for the 2026 Copa Libertadores. In parallel, Almada continued his career in Europe: he joined Lyon in January 2025, but the economic crisis caused by Textor himself accelerated his sale to Atlético de Madrid in the middle of this year.
