The late English showman Bob Monkhouse had at least one great line in his locker; “everyone laughed when I told them I was going to be a comedian,” he said. “Well, they’re not laughing now!” It is a comment that Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson may well appreciate. An unorthodox part of his modest upbringing in Sao Vicente, on the outskirts of Santos, was a spell he spent in a circus as a clown’s assistant. But he […]
For some reason, when people think about footballers they assume that they are different; that their talent arms them with more than a simple ability to control a ball better than the rest of us. It is (partly, at least) why so much is made when players slip up. People don’t expect footballers to want to go out partying, to want to smoke, to give in to temptation of any kind….they’re footballers, the luckiest people […]
There is something undeniably romantic in a story of a young player plucked from anonymity by a big club. This is partly because such stories happen so rarely but mostly it is because it is easy for the rest of us to identify with such a player; to want him to succeed and prove that perhaps there is latent talent in all of us if only someone bothered to look close enough. It is why […]
Botafogo’s three young stars, Doria, Bruno Mendes, and Jadson, will be retuning to the club early as the Brazil under 20 side were eliminated from the 2013 South American Youth Championships at the group stage. The squad went into the competition with high hopes, but it was evident from the first game that the team were lacking in shape, discipline, and attacking ideas. Doria played in all four games in this group stage, but was […]
Botafogo have announced their squad numbers for the forthcoming season, and in a show of faith to young Brazil under 20 star Bruno Mendes, they have decided that he will wear the number 7 shirt. As with many clubs, the number 7 shirt has extra significance as it was worn by numerous club legends, most notably in the case of Botafogo, it was worn by a player who epitomised Brazilian football – Mané Garrincha. The […]
Rodrigo Defendi has completed his move to Botofogo, after training with the club in their pre season camp prior to signing. Defendi was once on the books at Tottenham Hotspur as a youth, before moving to Italy with Udinese and Roma on loan from Spurs, and then Avelinos on a permanent basis. He had a spell at Palmeiras reserves, and then Paraná in the Campeonato Paranaense, before joining his last club Vitória Guimarães of Portugal. He commented on signing […]
The majority of the Botafogo players returned to trianing yesterday, with new signings Henrique, Amderson Aquino, Andre Bahia, and Julio Cesar taking part for the first time since their arrival this winter. Henrique and Anderson Aquino will bolster the attack, whilst left back Julio Cesar, and defender Andre Bahia will provide extra bodies in the back line. Former Sao Paulo player Henrique made stirs in the English media last summer when it was rumoured he would join […]
Brazil’s final squad for the Under 20 South American Championships has been announced, and all three of the Botafogo players in the initial provisional squad have been kept in. Defender Doria has been in the news lately, as his move to Juventus is an ongoing saga as negotiations about the fee continue between his various owners as well as Botafogo. Striker Bruno Mendes, and midfielder Jadson also retain their places in the squad, and Botafogo […]
The continuing dispute over who holds the contract of new Brazil under 20 player Bruno Mendes has reached what might be a conclusion today, after his loan contract at Botafogo was reinstated by the CBF. As is often the case in the region, Mendes’ contract was subject to a squabble involving multiple parties, including his former club Guarani, the sports agency HAZ, his “development club” Macae in Rio, ex-Guarani defender Andrei (!), and his current […]
Emerson Ávila has named three Botafogo players in his provisional squad for the 2013 South American Youth Championship. Defender Doria, midfielder Jadson, and striker Bruno Mendes, will take part in the tournament which is being held in the Argentinian cities of San Juan and Mendoza, amongst the foothills, valleys, and plains of the Andes in Western Argentina. It’s likely that most of the squad will get a run out at some point, as the games come […]