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Atlanta United defeats Botafogo in court over Thiago Almada ... again

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled the Brazilian club must pay the transfer fee or risk a transfer ban.
Atlanta United sold midfielder Thiago Almada to Botafogo in the 2024 summer transfer window for an MLS-record fee. (Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta United)

Credit: Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta United

Credit: Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta United

Atlanta United sold midfielder Thiago Almada to Botafogo in the 2024 summer transfer window for an MLS-record fee. (Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta United)
By
Dec 11, 2025

Atlanta United won another round in its court battle with Botafogo over its failure to pay $21 million for Thiago Almada.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday ruled that the Brazilian club must pay the transfer fee to the MLS club or risk a transfer ban.

Atlanta United sold Almada to Botafogo in the 2024 summer transfer window for an MLS-record fee. After helping Botafogo win Serie A and Copa Libertadores, it sent Almada on loan to Lyon in France before selling him to Atletico Madrid in Spain for a reported $29 million.

ExploreFrom 2024: Thiago Almada said Saturday’s home match may have been his last with Atlanta United

Atlanta United sued Botafogo in November 2024 for non-payment. FIFA sanctioned Botafogo in February for its failure to pay, ordering it to pay Atlanta United $10 million. Botafogo didn’t pay, and in June, FIFA ordered it to pay $21 million. Botafogo appealed the verdict.

That appeal was denied Tuesday after another hearing in October.

Botafogo implied it will appeal the ruling. Atlanta United has yet to comment.

ExploreWork begins for Atlanta and World Cup now most teams are known

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