Botafogo hit with FIFA transfer ban over unpaid Almada millions

The festive season has turned sour for Brazilian giants Botafogo after FIFA slapped the club with a global transfer ban effective December 31, 2025. The sanction follows a formal complaint from MLS side Atlanta United regarding $21 million in unpaid fees stemming from the landmark transfer of World Cup winner Thiago Almada in 2024.

Almada, the 24-year-old centerpiece of Botafogo’s recent domestic and Copa Libertadores double, has since moved on to Atletico Madrid via a brief loan at Lyon. However, the financial trail left behind has triggered the FIFA Registration Ban list, preventing the Rio de Janeiro club from registering new talent until the debt is settled.

The club, owned by American businessman John Textor, issued a statement confirming they are in active dialogue with Atlanta United to resolve the impasse. While Botafogo officials blame the "holiday season" for a pause in negotiations, the pressure is mounting to reach an agreement before the January transfer window swings wide.

This legal hurdle is the latest in a series of financial headaches for Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings, which also manages French side Lyon. Both clubs have faced scrutiny over mounting debts, echoing the administrative turmoil that saw Crystal Palace demoted to the Europa Conference League earlier this season due to multi-club ownership conflicts.

For Botafogo, the stakes are high as they look to defend their continental crown in 2026. Unless Textor can finalize a payment plan in the coming days, the club risks entering a demanding new campaign with its hands tied in the recruitment market.