Brazil legend hopes to see his former club lift the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
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Botafogo will take on Atletico Mineiro in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores final
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Winners will qualify for two FIFA tournaments, including the Club World Cup
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New tournament will see the globe’s leading 32 teams battle for glory
Jairzinho made many a dream come true for the Botafogo faithful. Now, Botafogo have fulfilled one of Jairzinho’s dreams.
On 30 November, for the first time in the club’s history, they will be playing in the final of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores as they take on fellow Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Botafogo legend, now 79 years of age, is full of joy and optimism looking ahead to the final.
“Life is made of lessons and preparations. My dream has always been to see Botafogo getting to a strong position, like they’re in now, with the chance to get to the final of this great competition”, he told FIFA.
“Botafogo has always been a club on the up, even with the usual obstacles you face in [the Copa Libertadores]. Botafogo have been going through a very interesting spell and displaying a lot of quality, and now they have the chance to compete for that trophy that all South American clubs dream of winning.”
The team that is crowned South American champions on 30 November will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, the new-look global tournament which will have 32 teams battling it out to become the best club side in the world, and also the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™.
Jairzinho knows all too well how difficult it is to win a tournament like the Club World Cup, and he has a wealth of experience when it comes to fighting to be world champions – earning the moniker of “The World Cup Hurricane” after he was one of the Brazil heroes at the 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™.
“A tournament that only has the best teams from every country. That’s why every game is so difficult, but that challenge brings out the best in you as a player as you apply yourself in the most positive way technically and tactically”, he said.
Botafogo’s Libertadores semi-final was a relatively comfortable affair as they beat Penarol 5-0 in the first-leg, meaning that they never felt threatened despite their 3-1 defeat in the return leg. However, they did face some moments of uncertainty during their last-16 and quarter-final ties against Palmeiras and Sao Paulo, respectively.
This was nothing new for the Botafogo fans, though, as they often say that they are used to suffering. However, as Jairzinho was quick to point out, Botafogo are historically used to being “Glorious” with a capital ‘G’, as the club’s nickname (O Glorioso) suggests.
“I got used to winning and being a champion. And playing for Botafogo! That’s why I hope Botafogo can continue to show their quality and that they are good enough to become South American champions”, he said. “Botafogo are very fortunate with the players they currently have at their disposal and they also have great coaching staff.”
