Botafogo Keeping an Eye on Real Salt Lake Striker | OneFootball

Elias Manoel, the 23-year-old Brazilian striker, is really feeling the heat from the Major League Soccer system. It's like the guy got hit with a truck of frustration after being shipped off to Real Salt Lake by New York Red Bulls without any heads-up, no discussion, not even a “Hey, you up for it?”. It’s the kind of move that makes you wonder if MLS treats players like they’re pieces on a chessboard. No care, no consideration. Now, Elias is mad as hell, and he’s not sure he even wants to stick around at his new club. And guess who’s paying attention? Botafogo.

The club’s not exactly throwing in a formal offer just yet, but they’re definitely circling the waters. The situation’s set up perfectly: young player, former stints at Grêmio and Red Bulls, frustrated with the current state of affairs, and a Botafogo team hungry for strong additions.

Let’s be real, Elias Manoel has never exactly been a household name in Brazilian soccer. He left Grêmio without leaving much of an impression and landed in the States with barely a ripple. Over at New York Red Bulls, he showed flashes of potential, but never really became a standout. He’s that player with talent, sure, but the kind that still hasn’t hit that level where you say, “Yep, that’s the guy to watch.”

But here’s the kicker, he’s got something Botafogo’s looking for: potential. A club like Botafogo’s been taking chances on players who have room to grow, and Elias could be just the guy to fit that mold. A young striker, not too pricey, but someone who could pay off both on the field and financially down the road.

Now, the soccer world’s full of stories where players get fed up with their teams, force their way out, and end up thriving in a new place. But it’s also littered with cases where that kind of discontent turns into a ticking time bomb in the locker room. Sure, Elias is mad right now, but who’s to say he won’t blow up again? That’s something Botafogo’s gotta think through carefully.

They’re building a competitive squad, and the last thing they need is a guy who’s gonna bring drama to the locker room. If Elias comes in with a chip on his shoulder, ready to show the MLS he was wronged, great. But if he shows up already mentally checked out, it could backfire big time.

The thing that makes this even juicier is that Botafogo might be able to turn the MLS’s disarray into an advantage. The American clubs love to talk a big game about professionalism and planning, but when it comes down to it, a lot of the time, they treat their players like commodities. Elias’s situation is a prime example of that.

So, is Elias Manoel the guy Botafogo needs? It’s not an easy call. If he comes with the right mindset, he could be a solid addition to the squad. But if he’s carrying around grudges and isn’t fully focused, he might just end up being another one of those “could’ve been great” stories. Botafogo’s got a big vision and needs players who are all in. If Elias sees the club as a springboard for his growth and value, it could be a brilliant move. But if he’s just looking to escape MLS with no real motivation? Yeah, better pass. Botafogo’s watching closely, Elias is still fuming, and Real Salt Lake might end up holding onto a player who just doesn’t want to be there.