Inside Rafael Menin's exit from Atlético's SAF

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·1 May 2026

Inside Rafael Menin's exit from Atlético's SAF

Amid a turbulent season and disappointing results on the pitch, Rafael Menin, one of the majority shareholders of Atlético-MG’s SAF, announced he is stepping away from the routine and day-to-day decisions of the football department.

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The businessman’s exit from the scene is no coincidence.

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According to ge, the decision is the culmination of a series of clashes and strains that have built up over the past few years.

Check out the main factors that led to this scenario, according to the sports website of the Globo group.

1. The decisive fallout with Hulk

The relationship with the team’s main idol and No. 7 was one of the biggest points of tension. Rafael Menin had the "final say" on the striker’s future, and he is now reportedly close to joining Fluminense.

Rejected offer: In January, the board presented a renewal offer that deeply displeased Hulk and his entourage, and was described by the player as a kind of "early retirement."
Unsustainable dressing room atmosphere: In April, Menin once again took part in negotiations over the player’s departure. The breaking point came before the clash against Flamengo, when the executive reportedly said goodbye to Hulk in the dressing room itself, culminating in the striker being left out of the squad for the match. The club chose not to comment officially on this episode.

2. Accusations of authoritarianism and interference

Reports from anonymous sources linked to the club point to authoritarian behavior by the executive toward employees and even members of the board itself. It was common to hear phrases such as: "The club is mine, I’m the one in charge."

In addition, Menin allegedly tried to interfere directly in the work of the coaching staffs over the past few years, giving opinions on lineups and tactical setups, which caused strong discomfort within the football department.

What does Atlético-MG say? When contacted, the club vehemently denied the information about interference on the pitch, saying it was "unaware" of Rafael’s input. Galo also defended the executive’s conduct, describing him as someone "extremely polite and kind" in his dealings with employees behind the scenes.

3. Fan pressure and declining sporting performance

External pressure also weighed heavily. In the very statement in which he announced his withdrawal, Rafael Menin mentioned the demands of the Massa Atleticana. "I know the criticism I receive, I understand much of it, I disagree with some of it, especially when it goes beyond good taste or becomes disproportionate, but that’s part of it," he said.

The Menin family, which poured significant financial investment into the historic 2021 titles (the Brasileirão and the Copa do Brasil), officially took over the SAF in 2023. Since then, however, sporting performance has plummeted:

Bitter runner-up finishes: The team finished runner-up in the Copa do Brasil and the Libertadores in 2024, and in the Copa Sudamericana in 2025.
State title drought and current crisis: In the current 2026 season, Galo lost the Campeonato Mineiro title to its biggest rival, Cruzeiro. To make matters worse, the team is flirting with the relegation zone in the Brasileirão and sits bottom of its group in the Copa Sudamericana

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 Pedro Vilela - 2025 Getty Images