Botafogo have defied their critics by making it to the Membership World Cup spherical of 16, with Alex Telles saying the Brazilian membership proved unsuitable those that mentioned they got here to the U.S. simply to “see Mickey.”
Regardless of Botafogo shedding their final group recreation 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, Telles and his teammates are into the spherical of 16 after ending second in Group B.
“It is tough to speak about it proper now,” ex-Manchester United participant Telles mentioned. “PSG and Atletico confirmed us extra respect than most followers and pundits did. The workforce did what it needed to do to advance to the subsequent stage.
“Right here we’re, those that some mentioned got here to see Mickey in Disneyland, by way of to the spherical of 16 within the group of loss of life. Qualifying reveals the work executed by this unimaginable group of males.”
Botafogo will now face the Group A winners — both Inter Miami CF or Palmeiras — on Saturday, whereas PSG tackle the runners-up on Sunday.
Antoine Griezmann’s late strike secured victory for Atletico, but it surely was not sufficient to overtake the Brazilian facet’s aim distinction, and captain Marlon Freitas emphasised the achievement of advancing to the knockout stage from a bunch together with two European heavyweights.
“Positive, we needed to win, and I feel we had our probabilities. We knew tips on how to defend, and I imagine we deserved a minimum of a draw. Conceding that late aim was heartbreaking as a result of we needed to complete high of the group,” Freitas instructed TV Globo.
“Nevertheless, we should always rejoice as a result of, earlier than the event began, everybody thought we had no likelihood towards two high opponents from main European leagues. We have proven the worth of Brazilian soccer. We’re champions of South America, and we deserve respect.”
Botafogo gained the Brazilian Serie A title in 2024 in addition to the Copa Libertadores to earn their spot at this summer season’s Membership World Cup.
Their coach Renato Paiva added: “If Renato Paiva had mentioned again in Brazil that we might get by way of this group, I might have been criticized to the core by everybody, would not I? Now we did what nobody anticipated.
“We now have to thank the Botafogo followers, and now we have to be proud for Brazilian soccer.”
Info from Reuters was used on this story.
