Botafogo gears up for Brasileirão return against Santos, highlights ticket sales and youth prospects

Botafogo will resume the Brasileirão on Thursday, July 16, facing Santos at Nilton Santos Stadium with a kickoff at 19:30, marking the club's first match after a 45‑day break for the World Cup. Pre‑sale of tickets has reached just over 10,000, which the club described as below its expectations for the season‑opening home game.

Coach Franclim Carvalho said the training block focused on creating ways to breach low‑block defenses, a tactical priority for the second half of the campaign. In parallel, Botafogo has promoted three under‑17 players – defender Herick, midfielder Victor Hugo and striker Lucas Emanuel – to the senior squad. Lucas Emanuel, 17, finished the youth season as top scorer with 15 goals in 14 games, scored in every friendly during the inter‑season, and is under contract until June 2028 with a €80 million release clause. The club is also monitoring its under‑20 side, which is advancing in the national tournament.