Júnior Santos set to leave Atlético, Botafogo move on loan imminent | OneFootball

Forward Júnior Santos is very close to being announced as a reinforcement for Botafogo. The player, who belongs to Atlético, is expected to return to the Rio de Janeiro club on loan until the end of 2026.

According to information published by the portal Globo Esporte (GE), Júnior Santos is expected in Rio de Janeiro this Wednesday (04) to undergo medical exams and sign a contract with the Rio club. The agreement is in progress and the official announcement may happen in the coming days.

Where he lived the peak of his career in Brazilian football

It was precisely at Botafogo that Júnior Santos reached the best moment of his career in national football. In the first half of 2024, the forward was a key player in the team led by Artur Jorge.

In that historic season, the player participated in 49 matches (3,172 minutes), scored 20 goals, and provided four assists — an average of one direct goal involvement every 132 minutes. This performance made him one of the important names in the campaign that culminated in winning the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores da América.

High investment and little return at Galo

If 2024 was a year of prominence in Rio, his time at Atlético fell short of expectations. Signed at the beginning of the following season with a large investment and surrounded by expectations from the fans, Júnior Santos could not replicate his performance.

Amid injuries and inconsistent performances, the forward accumulated only 799 minutes on the field, spread over 28 matches, with only two goals scored. The below-expected performance made the player a frequent target of criticism from the fans and the specialized press.

What the player says

According to influencer Lucas Tanaka, from Canal do Tanaka, in a video published this Tuesday (03), a person close to the athlete revealed that Júnior Santos wished he had received more opportunities at Atlético in 2026.

According to the report, the forward felt physically very well and prepared to help the team. The arrival of coach Eduardo Domínguez had renewed his hope for more minutes, which did not materialize.

Still according to the source, the player stated that, in some matches in 2025, he played through pain to help then-coach Cuca during a delicate moment for the club.

Behind the scenes and an episode in Bahia

Another point that reportedly strained the relationship between the athlete and the club occurred at the end of December last year. Even while recovering from an injury, Júnior Santos participated in a festive match in Feira de Santana, Bahia.

Internally, the episode was not well received by Atlético's management. At the time, the club's CSO stated that the player “did not have authorization from any Atlético professional for such activity.” As a consequence, the forward received a hefty fine on his salary.

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