Atlanta United Settles Transfer Dispute with Botafogo

Atlanta United has finalized a settlement with Brazilian Serie A club Botafogo concerning outstanding payments related to the transfer of midfielder Thiago Almada, the MLS team announced on Friday.

In the summer of 2024, Almada was transferred to Botafogo for a fee of $21 million. However, Botafogo failed to fulfill two $3 million installment payments to Atlanta, along with accrued interest, prior to transferring Almada to Atlético Madrid in July of the following year. Consequently, Atlanta United escalated the matter to FIFA, which mandated that Botafogo pay the full amount owed.

Following the FIFA ruling, Botafogo and its owner, John Textor, appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which upheld FIFA’s decision. When Botafogo continued to neglect payment, FIFA imposed a three-window transfer ban on the club in December 2025.

In a statement, Atlanta United confirmed, “We have reached a settlement with Botafogo regarding the 2024 transfer of Thiago Almada. Atlanta United prevailed in both the FIFA Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which upheld the agreed terms of the 2024 Transfer Agreement.”

The statement further noted, “Today, we can confirm that Botafogo will pay the full transfer fee, plus interest, under the terms of this settlement. We appreciate the decisions by FIFA and CAS, which reinforce standards that promote a fair and sustainable international transfer market.”

A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, Almada made 77 appearances and scored 23 goals for Atlanta between 2022 and 2024 before transferring to Botafogo for what was then a record fee for an MLS player. The 24-year-old forward currently plays for Atlético Madrid, marking his fourth club change in less than 13 months. After only six months with Botafogo, Almada was loaned to French club Lyon, which is also under Textor’s ownership.