John Textor, Thairo Arruda and Botafogo players receive Rio City Hall honors in a ceremony at Nilton Santos Stadium.
Civic medal awarded to club leadership
Before kickoff of Botafogo vs Fortaleza, Nilton Santos Stadium hosted a special ceremony on Sunday. Councillor Marcio Ribeiro presented the Pedro Ernesto Merit Medal, the highest honor granted by the Rio de Janeiro City Council, to businessman John Textor and director Thairo Arruda.
The tribute acknowledges the work carried out at the head of Botafogo and their direct contribution to the development of sport in the city. In addition, it highlights the sporting project that has transformed the club in recent years, both on and off the pitch.
The ceremony brought together fans and public authorities on the field and marked official recognition of the club’s current project. Thus, Botafogo’s recent trajectory gained visibility not only for its sporting performance, but also for its social role in Rio de Janeiro.
Players receive honorary titles
Besides Textor and Thairo, players Bastos, Barboza and Marlon Freitas received Honorary Titles from the City Council. The awards recognize their performances in black-and-white colors and the strong bond they have built with the club and its supporters.
Forward Savarino was also honored during the event. Councillor Rafael Aloísio Freitas presented the distinction to the attacker, underlining his importance within the squad and in Botafogo’s recent campaigns at national level.
These tributes strengthen the connection between players, management and fans. At the same time, they show how commitment on the pitch and identification with the club can translate into formal recognition from public institutions.
Authorities highlight Botafogo’s social role
The ceremony was attended by councillors Felipe Pires and Rosa Fernandes, as well as the city’s Sports Secretary, Guilherme Schleder. Their presence reinforced institutional recognition of Botafogo and of football’s social role in Rio de Janeiro.
According to councillor Marcio Ribeiro, it was a night of celebration and affection for Botafogo. He stressed that it is fair to honor those who helped rebuild the club and drive sport in the city, turning football into a tool for inclusion, opportunity and pride for local fans.
By emphasizing respect from public authorities toward the people behind this project, the councillor pointed out that the awards carry a symbolic value. Therefore, the initiative brings the club even closer to the city’s institutions and to the wider community.
Sport as driver of urban development
The initiative highlights the strong connection between sport and urban development in Rio de Janeiro. Recognition of Botafogo helps strengthen the city’s cultural identity and values football as a central element of everyday life for many residents.
Public officials stress that investment in sport helps stimulate the economy and create jobs. In addition, it encourages new talents, widens opportunities for young people and reinforces the role of football clubs as agents of social transformation.
In this sense, the ceremony at Nilton Santos Stadium went beyond a simple pre-match celebration. The honors granted to John Textor, Thairo Arruda and the players show how Botafogo’s project is intertwined with the city’s development, fan identity and the future of football in Rio.
