Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas was founded on July 1, 1894. It took “regattas” in its name due to its proximity to Guanabara Bay, where rowing events were held. And it was precisely due to rowing that Botafogo was the first club in Rio to win its first sporting title, in 1902. So, it seems strange to say, but the fact is that Botafogo was not always synonymous with football.
The list of founding members of the club is extensive: Alberto Lisboa da Cunha, Arnaldo Pereira Braga, Arthur Galvão, Augusto Martins, Carlos de Souza Freire, Eduardo Fonseca, Frederico Lorena, Henrique Jacutinga, João Penaforte, João Teixeira, José Maria Dias Braga, Júlio Kreisler, Júlio Ribas Júnior, Luis Fonseca Quintanilha Jordão, Oscar Lisboa da Cunha and Ernesto de Sorrel.
Soccer
Separately, in 1904, the Electro Club was founded, a football team that would later adopt the name Botafogo Football Club. And, years later, exactly on December 8, 1942, there was a merger between Clube Regatas Botafogo and Botafogo Football Clube, resulting in the current Botafogo Futebol e Regatas.
The first half of the 20th century was a golden period for Botafogo, in football: it conquered the fourth championship in Rio with consecutive titles, in 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935, in addition to having been the base of the Brazilian team in the 1934 World Cups and 1938. At the end of the 50's, Botafogo presented to the world Mané Garrincha, who would soon be considered one of the best left-handers of all time. In the 60s, Botafogo won the bi-championship of the Rio-São Paulo Cup (in 1961/1962), it won the bi-championship of Rio de Janeiro (in 1967/1968) and the Brazilian Cup in 1968. Soon he would return to being the base team of the Brazilian team for the 1970 World Cup.
After this brilliant performance, Botafogo had a hard fall in the next two decades, losing titles, its headquarters and even its stadium in payment of debts. In 1990, the club began to rebuild itself, winning the Conmebol Cup and the Brazilian Championship. And from 2000 onwards, Botafogo regains its headquarters.
Main Titles
Conmebol Cup: 1993.
Brazilian Championship: 1995.
Brazil Cup: 1968.
Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1998.
Carioca Championship: 1907, 1910, 1912, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1948, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2006, 2010 and 2013.
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas is praised by means of two official anthems, one of the soccer part and the other of the rowing part, in addition to a popular anthem, and is the most known and sung in the stadiums. Here are the lyrics of the hymns:
- Popular club anthem:
“Botafogo, Botafogo, champion since 1910
You were a hero in every game, Botafogo
That's why you are and will be
our immense pleasure
Traditions by the millions you have too
You are the Glorious,
You can't lose, lose to anyone.
In other sports your fiber is present
Honoring the colors of our people's Brazil
On the road to laurels, a beam of light
Your lone star leads you"
- Botafogo's official football anthem:
“Gentle Botafogo!
Pure Glory of Brazilian Sport
the most manly expression
Of energy and true pride!
Fighting eagerly
You will do, correcting the youth,
That the Brazil of tomorrow
Be the homeland of strength and health
your future and your past
Defended without rest
always do respected
That glorious name of yours!
The alvinegro tassel,
The way to show us victory
From the cruise the glare
The stars translate our glory!
never miss you
From boldness to nobility and pure fire
That the first, among the most,
It will be, o glorious Botafogo"
- Official anthem of Remo do Botafogo:
"Save! o Club,
of the oldest,
that in glory and fame you are sublime,
the splendor of your figure expresses itself
by the strength that lives with you.
Botafogo which huge ship?
Of panda sails on the sea?
Is there no danger that it won't win?
For the victories to achieve.
Nor is there more than equal in value?
In defense of the Isolated Star?
Who garnishes the adored flag?
That of the gentle homeland is equivalent"
To know more:
Botafogo Football and Regattas – www.botafogo.com.br
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
PhD student in Latin American Integration at the University of São Paulo - USP
Brazilian teams - Soccer - sports - PE - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/botafogo.htm
