Brazilian side Botafogo has found itself in hot water with FIFA, after failing to settle the outstanding transfer fee for Argentine star Thiago Almada. The international football governing body has imposed a player registration ban on the club for the next three transfer windows, effectively preventing Botafogo from registering new players during this period.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, followed a formal complaint from Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. According to FIFA, Botafogo has yet to pay the agreed $21 million transfer fee for Almada, who was sold to the Brazilian club in 2024. The ruling takes effect on 31 December 2025.
Almada, 24, who starred for Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, enjoyed a successful stint at Botafogo, helping the club secure the Brazilian league title and the Copa Libertadores. In January 2025, he was loaned to French side Lyon, and later this July, Botafogo sold him to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid.
Botafogo has been under the ownership of American businessman John Textor since 2022. The club issued a statement confirming ongoing negotiations with Atlanta United to settle the outstanding payment. “Discussions are temporarily paused due to the holiday period,” the statement read, “but we are optimistic that a resolution will be reached before or during the January transfer window.”
Textor, through his company Eagle Football Holdings, also owns Lyon and previously held a minor stake in English Premier League side Crystal Palace. Legal and financial disputes linked to his ownership have affected both Botafogo and Lyon. For instance, despite Crystal Palace qualifying for the Europa League, complications arising from Textor’s cross-ownership meant the club was instead entered into the Europa Conference League. Lyon, meanwhile, retained their Europa League spot due to superior domestic league performance last season.
The Botafogo case highlights the growing complexities in modern football ownership and transfer dealings, where multi-club ownership and unsettled fees can have far-reaching consequences for clubs and competitions across continents.
Key Details Table:
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Thiago Almada |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Original Club | Atlanta United (MLS) |
| Botafogo Tenure | 2024–2025 |
| Transfer Fee | $21 million |
| Subsequent Clubs | Lyon (loan, France), Atlético Madrid (Spain) |
| Botafogo Owner | John Textor (Eagle Football Holdings) |
| FIFA Ban Effective | 31 December 2025 |
| Ban Type | Three transfer windows’ player registration ban |
| Achievements at Botafogo | Brazilian League title, Copa Libertadores |