Botafogo Futebol Clube is a football club based in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo state, founded on October 12, 1918. The club's colors are red, black, and white. A traditional team in Paulista football, Botafogo has won a state championship runner-up title in the first division in 2001, as well as a national championship title in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D in 2015, which stands out among its other achievements. The club plays its home matches at Estádio Santa Cruz, which has a capacity of 28,292 fans.
History
In the early 20th century, the city of Ribeirão Preto had intense rivalries between football clubs, with each neighborhood represented by at least one team. In Vila Tibério, there were three: União Paulistano, Tiberense, and Ideal Futebol Clube. Consequently, the neighborhood struggled to achieve good results in local championships. In 1918, representatives from Ideal held meetings at a venue that is now the "Bar Piranha," proposing a merger of the neighborhood clubs. Participants included members from the boards of the three clubs, as well as employees from the former Mogiana Railway and the Companhia Antarctica Paulista.
There was consensus regarding the formation of a new entity to represent the neighborhood, but choosing a name proved challenging. Legend has it that after heated discussions, one member exclaimed: "Either you pick a name quickly or just 'burn it all' and end this..." According to stories, this fiery remark sparked the idea among the group, leading to an unexpected name for the club. The incendiary threat from the director ultimately aided in the name selection. The proposal was accepted, and in 1918, Botafogo Futebol Clube was born. Several factors contributed to the name choice. The current Saldanha Marinho Street was called "Botafogo" because it was a site for burning the city's trash and was near the Companhia Antártica Paulista. Another reason is that the expression "bota fogo" was commonly used by employees of the Mogiana Railway.
Botafogo's debut took place in Franca, against Esporte Clube Fulgêncio, a now-defunct local team. The match ended 1–0 in favor of the Ribeirão Preto team. That day, residents of Vila Tibério took to the streets to celebrate the victory with their players, motivating the board, led by Gagliano and composed of Domingos Borges, the Trigo family, Francisco Oranges, and the Aguiar brothers, to work harder and pave the way for what would become the greatness of Botafogo Futebol Clube. The date of the first match coincided with the club's founding day (October 12, 1918), a date that also marks the national holiday of Nossa Senhora da Aparecida, the patroness of Botafogo.
Botafogo's first title was the Champion of the Interior in 1927, defeating its major rival, Comercial F.C., which was also vying for the same triumph, leading to the classic Come-Fogo rivalry, one of the most traditional in the state. That year, the club was jointly presided over by Augusto Silva and Adriano dos Santos, with the football team captained by Maximo Trujillo, known as "Carrapato," who eventually worked as a steward at the club's administrative headquarters.
In 1956, the club became the champion of the Centenary of Ribeirão Preto, defeating Comercial in the final by 4–2. Botafogo also received the Invictus Cup after remaining unbeaten for 19 matches. In the same year, the team also won the Second Division of the Campeonato Paulista.
In 1962, the club toured Argentina, where it achieved nine victories, three draws, and two losses, including a win over Estudiantes by 5–2. After this trip, the club became known as the "Panther of America."
In 1977, Botafogo won the Taça Cidade de São Paulo (First round of the Campeonato Paulista), facing São Paulo in a match that reached extra time. The game ended in a 0–0 draw, awarding the title to Botafogo for having a better campaign.
In the 1990s, the club achieved two national runner-up titles: Série C in 1996 and Série B in 1998. The following year, Botafogo was relegated and, in 2000, participated in the Copa João Havelange in the Yellow Module (equivalent to Série B).
In 2001, Botafogo was the runner-up in the Paulista championship, an extraordinary achievement for an interior club competing in one of the most competitive regional championships in world football.
Following this achievement, Botafogo went through a turbulent period marked by successive national and state relegations, primarily due to the mismanagement of former president Walcris da Silva.
Botafogo was relegated to Série B in 2001 and the following year dropped to Série C.
In 2003, Botafogo was eliminated in the first phase of Série C and relegated to A2 of the state league.
From 2004 onwards, Botafogo no longer had a national calendar, and in 2005, the club faced its darkest moment, being relegated to Série A3 due to the fielding of an ineligible player. This year also marked the end of Walcris da Silva's presidency (2002-2005), which was characterized by three relegations and successive embarrassments both on and off the field, including the registration error that led to the drop to Série A3.
The year 2006 marked the resurrection of Botafogo, guided by president Luis Pereira. The team easily won the Série A3, having one of the best campaigns in the history of that division.
The following year, back in Série A2, Botafogo came very close to accessing the Paulistão.
In 2008, the redemption of the work initiated under president Luis Pereira came to fruition, and the club returned to the elite of Paulista football, remaining there ever since.
During Botafogo's participation in the Paulistão from 2009 to 2015, highlights include the title of Champion of the Interior in 2010, defeating São Caetano in the final 1–0, and strong campaigns in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 when Botafogo reached the quarter-finals.
However, a miraculous campaign occurred in 2012, when Botafogo won only 3 matches in the first 16 rounds and needed, in addition to winning the remaining 3 matches, a series of results from opponents to go their way. The antepenultimate and penultimate matches were away against Linense and Catanduvense, respectively. Botafogo won against Linense 3–1 and then defeated Catanduvense 4–2, reigniting the hopes of the fans who packed Estádio Santa Cruz for the final match against Guarani, then in 2nd place in the standings. And the miracle happened! Despite playing with one less player since the end of the first half and facing constant pressure from the opponent, Botafogo secured a 2–1 victory, with the decisive goal scored by substitute striker Clebinho in the 43rd minute of the second half. After the final whistle, emotion swept through the stadium, with numerous fans invading the field and crossing the Santa Cruz pitch on their knees, the only venue in the city that has always hosted great teams and stars.
Thanks to their strong campaigns in Paulistão, Botafogo earned the right to compete in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
In their first two appearances in Série D, Botafogo was eliminated in the first phase.
But in 2015, after a difficult start to the tournament, garnering only 2 points in 3 matches, Botafogo once again demonstrated its ability to overcome and was crowned champion of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, overcoming teams such as São Caetano (in the quarter-finals, when they secured promotion to Série C) and Clube do Remo, and defeating River from Piauí in two intense final matches.
In 2014 and 2015, Botafogo's sports material was supplied by the renowned German company Adidas. In 2017, a partnership began with Numer, the new supplier of sports materials for the Pride of Ribeirão.
In 2018, the club gained promotion to Série B of the Campeonato Brasileiro, finishing 9th with 50 points in 2019. However, in 2020, the club had a poor performance, finishing second to last with only 34 points.
In a strong campaign in 2022, Botafogo secured promotion to Série B for 2023, defeating Volta Redonda 2-1 away.
Idols
Carrapato – The First Idol
Born on October 3, 1903, Máximo Tarujillo, known simply as Carrapato, stood out in the early years of Botafogo. He was one of the greatest "center-halves" (defenders) of Botafogo and was part of the team that won the club's first significant title, the Champion of the Interior in 1927.
He formed one of the first great squads of the tricolor alongside João Velho, Iracino, Zé de Paula, Perico, Alfredo, Corne, João Colete, Palito, Pequitote, and Cobra.
He passed away on June 28, 1979, dedicating his final years to Botafogo.
Galdino Machado – The Goalkeeper with the Most Appearances
Born on November 4, 1934, in São Paulo, Galdino Machado joined the club at the end of 1954 and became the goalkeeper with the most appearances for Botafogo. The 20-year-old, known as Dino or Bodão, was discovered by Lepera, who decided to direct him to Botafogo, where he later became one of the greatest idols in the club's history.
In total, between official matches and friendlies from 1955 to 1966, the goalkeeper played 252 times for Botafogo, with 103 wins, 56 draws, and 93 losses.
Zé Mário – The Star of '77
José Mário Donizetti Baroni, better known as Zé Mário (Ribeirão Preto, January 5, 1957 - February 11, 1978), was a Brazilian footballer who played as a right winger. He defended the colors of his beloved club, Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto, and the Brazilian national team. He was part of the Botafogo squad that won the Taça Cidade de São Paulo in 1977. Zé Mário passed away at a young age, at 21, due to leukemia.
He was one of the most promising wingers in Brazilian football, remembered by Osvaldo Brandão, the coach of the Brazilian national team. Zé Mário played alongside Sócrates, Geraldão, João Carlos Motoca, and Lorico. Many sports journalists considered him the revelation of the year in 1977.
Zé Mário was the first player in Brazilian football history to be called up to the national team while playing for an interior club. Just at a moment of euphoria, not only for the player but for the entire Botafogo community, the Brazilian national team's doctor Lídio Toledo discovered the player's serious illness during routine exams.
In 1977, Zé Mário represented Brazil on two occasions, against England and the São Paulo national team, both at Maracanã. Shortly after, he needed to be sidelined for treatment, but unfortunately, he could not recover.
Sócrates – The Doctor
Although born in Belém, it was at Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto that the former midfielder of the Brazilian national team and Corinthians began his career. Sócrates started at Bota in 1974 and shone in the first team alongside right winger Zé Mário and the then-top scorer Geraldão. After a successful season with the Panther in 1977, the "doctor" – as he was known for balancing training with medical school – transferred to Corinthians.
At Timão, he made a significant impact, particularly in the finals of the São Paulo state championships in 1982 and 1983, when the "Democracy Corinthians" team defeated São Paulo at the Morumbi Stadium. In the Brazilian national team, Sócrates played in two World Cups (1982 and 1986), totaling 63 matches (41 wins, 17 draws, 5 losses) and scored 24 goals. Before retiring, he had a brief stint at Fiorentina in Italy from 1984 to 1986, as well as playing for Flamengo and Santos.
Manoel
Born in Januária on January 7, 1945, the Minas Gerais native Manoel Oliveira Costa embodied the mystique of the Botafogo jersey. He dedicated 13 years to Botafogo, 10 years as a player and three as a physical trainer. During his 10 years as a player, Manoel played almost every position in defense, including right back, left back, sweeper, and center-back. With these qualities, he became a fan favorite and helped Botafogo secure the title of Champion of the Taça Cidade de São Paulo in 1977.
In 1983, Manoel left the club with sadness but never left the hearts of Botafogo supporters.
Raí
Brother of Sócrates, midfielder Raí began his career at Botafogo at just 15 years old. Talented from a young age, he was loaned to Ponte Preta during the 1986 Brazilian Championship before attracting the interest of São Paulo in 1987. At Tricolor, he became an idol, especially after the arrival of Telê Santana. In addition to being a Brazilian champion, Raí's São Paulo also won the Libertadores in 1992 and 1993, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in '92. The midfielder also played for Paris Saint-Germain.
César Gaúcho – The Captain of the National Title
One of the most recent idols of the tricolor is midfielder César Gaúcho, a former Botafogo player. Born in Porto Alegre on June 28, 1978, César wore the Botafogo jersey for four seasons, scoring four goals, one of which was crucial in securing Botafogo's promotion to Série C of the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2016. Additionally, he contributed to the team's title as the champion of Série D in 2015, the club's first national title. He currently plays for Prudentópolis.
Organized Supporters
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Força Jovem Tricolor. Founded in 1974 in the basement of the Benedini Imóveis real estate agency on Rua Álvares Cabral by a group of teenage friends passionate about Botafogo F.C. The supporters' group was known for its large flags fixed to 4-meter bamboo poles or 3-meter PVC pipes. It opened the street carnival in Ribeirão Preto as a carnival block in 1978 and accompanied the team to all matches until 1982. Key leaders and members: Joaquim Mário, Marcelo Henrique, Roosevelt Abbad, Jefferson Miguel, Celso Rocha, Aquaro.
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The organized supporters group, A.R.C.T.O Fiel Força Tricolor, founded in 1992, boasts one of the largest flags in Brazil, the eighth largest in the world, measuring 135x33 meters, with 90% painted. It is considered the largest organized supporters group in Ribeirão Preto and the interior of São Paulo. In 2008, FFT paraded in the Ribeirão Preto carnival as a block, celebrating the 90th anniversary of Botafogo's founding. The current president of the supporters group is Juninho Fernandez.
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A.R.E.S.C. Torcida Os Dragões Botafogo, founded in 1973, was the main supporters group in the 1970s, returning to the stands of Santa Cruz in 2016 for their Série C debut against Mogi Mirim.
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In 2011, the now-defunct Torcida Kamikaze Tricolor was founded by former members of Fiel Força Tricolor. The supporters group made its debut during the first match of the Campeonato Paulista against Palmeiras at Pacaembu.
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Movimento Popular Botafoguense - Somos o Botafogo 1918, founded in late 2018, debuted in the Paulistão of 2019, composed of former members of Fiel Força Tricolor and Torcida Kamikaze. The group's ideal is unconditional support for Botafogo Futebol Clube, and with this, it has been earning its space and respect among Botafogo supporters. In the 2019 Paulistão, they were present at 100% of BFC's matches, both home and away. The current board consists of: Gustavo Andrade (President), Victor Hugo Fernandes (Vice-President), Yuri Fonseca (Material Director).
Mascot
The panther is characterized by strength and flexibility in the animal kingdom. On the pitch, Botafogo earned the nickname "Panther of Mogiana" for its victories against teams from this region of São Paulo state.
The achievement of the unprecedented title of Champion of the Interior in 1927 made Botafogo a formidable team, just like a panther.