When it comes to leadership, Botafogo’s squad has a central figure. Wearing the captain’s armband, it was Marlon Freitas who gathered and guided his teammates on the pitch after O Glorioso had a player sent off in the first minute of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores final. In the dressing room, he gave the final motivational words before taking to the pitch.
Some of the midfielder’s phrases have become catchphrases for the fans, such as ‘It had to be here!’, which he said to his teammates before beating SE Palmeiras away from home, the side that denied them the Série A title in 2023 and was in the race for the title again the following year. The game ended in victory for Botafogo, paving the way to a trophy that they hadn’t lifted for 29 years. In the Copa Libertadores, it was to be a historic first title. In both cases, glory seemed to slip through their fingers.
At the age of 30, Freitas is reaching the high point of his career both on the pitch, where he has specialised in long passes and turning games around and also in his maturity to influence his squad. As their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ approaches this Sunday against Seattle Sounders FC, you can see in every reply that his usual serious tone has given way to a twinkle in his eye when talking about the tournament.
And he keeps repeating one word…’dream’. Sometimes, a ‘big dream’, in reference to the clashes with powerhouses like the reigning European champions, Paris Saint-Germain. At other times, it’s like a ‘massive dream’ – in other words, the title.
He repeats it so often that it becomes a mantra that will feature in his final words in the dressing room at Lumen Field in Seattle, and at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Born in Magé – the same town where the greatest player in the club’s history, two-time world champion Mané Garrincha, was born – Marlon quotes a historic samba song by Mocidade Independente from 1992. “Dreams cost nothing,” says the player, in words that perfectly represent a club from Rio de Janeiro, a land of football and carnival.
In an interview with FIFA, the Alvinegro midfielder explained in detail what this dream means and what he’s shared with his teammates and fans.
He said: “Everyone knows the challenge we face. Against us are teams of great quality. PSG and Atlético de Madrid are used to playing in the Champions League, and PSG are the reigning champions. There’s also Seattle, playing at home, which is going to be a very difficult game.
“The Club World Cup is a very big dream. Our first challenge is to qualify out of the group. It’s already a huge achievement for the club in lots of ways, in terms of visibility and financially. It’s a big responsibility.”
As captain, he knows it’s his role to turn this individual dream into a collective belief in a squad of constant departures and new arrivals. Five newcomers could make their Botafogo debut at the Club World Cup, including strikers Arthur Cabral, formerly of SL Benfica and Fiorentina and ex-Inter Milan star, Argentinian international, Joaquin Correa.
He added: “I’ll always mention the dream, because dreams don’t cost anything. I really believe in the power of words, of believing in what you say. I’m that guy, I like to motivate my teammates. You can’t not be motivated when you leave your home and family to come and play in the Club World Cup. It’s the biggest motivation of all: to wear the Botafogo shirt and to play against the greatest teams.”
The journeyman returns to the United States
Developed by arch-rivals Fluminense FC, in one of the best youth set-ups in Brazil, Marlon didn’t make the step up to the professional ranks and ended up at smaller clubs such as Botafogo de Ribeirao Preto and Atlético-GO. He also played for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the USL, and in the second division in Slovakia.
At Botafogo since 2023, he was scarred in his first year by the team’s collapse which cost them the Brazilian title, after opening up a 13-point lead. Criticised by much of the fanbase, he looked like he was on the way out of Botafogo the following season, but completely turned it around by winning titles and being immortalised on a banner alongside the some of the greatest idols in the world, such as his fellow townsman Garrincha and world champions Nilton Santos, Didi, Zagallo, Gerson and Jairzinho.
Before they take on the European giants, Botafogo have a first round tie that promises to be tough, as they take on host team Seattle Sounders. The match will take place at Lumen Field, a venue that attracts large MLS crowds, with an atmosphere reminiscent of European or South American stadiums. For Marlon Freitas, the match is crucial for the campaign.
He pointed out: “We can’t just think about PSG or Atlético de Madrid and forget about Seattle. They’re dreaming just like us. The first game is the one where you start to gain confidence. It’s the game where you need to feel that atmosphere of the tournament. We’re going to be together, as a family, to take that first step….qualification. Having a good first match is very important if you want to move ahead with confidence and have a great tournament.”
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Botafogo’s No.17 has a classic style of play. While his midfield partner Gregore is the defensive engine and often the ball-winner, it falls to the captain to spread the play out, often switching the ball, in search of a winger. Curiously, the player admires someone with very different characteristics to his own – Vitinha, a European club champion with PSG and UEFA Nations League winner with Portugal, who makes his presence felt in all areas of the pitch and has the ability to link up with his team-mates at speed.
He stressed: “I’m a big fan of Vitinha because of the energy he brings to the game. He’s a player who’s having a great season. We play the same position, but he’s a different type of player.” He will face Vitinha in the second game at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
Skipper: Football is 11 v 11
In California, Botafogo will round off their group stage against Atlético de Madrid. It’s no surprise that someone who values motivating his teammates as much as performing on the pitch is an admirer of Argentinian Diego Simeone, coach of the Spanish capital club since 2011.
He said: “Atletico have a working philosophy and a pattern of play. In some games there are three centre-backs in a line of five defenders. At other times, it’s a back four. Simeone is that fiery guy, whose presence alone will motivate his players. I’ve seen his documentary. It’s a very difficult game. As well as Atlético’s technical side, their physical side is something we need to look at. They’re a very strong team physically.”
Drawn in a ‘group of death’, Botafogo’s route is arguably the most difficult of the four Brazilian teams. Freitas appreciates taking part in a tournament that will attract the global spotlight and keep alive that hope, that on the pitch, nothing is impossible. He proudly points out that this opportunity didn’t come out of nowhere. After all, like PSG, Botafogo are also reigning continental champions.
He said: “If we achieve this first objective – qualification for the round of 16 – everything will work out. We’re taking it game by game until we reach that massive dream of the title. It’s very difficult, we know, but with a lot of humility, a lot of respect, keeping our feet on the ground, a lot of confidence too, a lot of hunger, to win and wear the Botafogo shirt.
“Football is 11 against 11. Dreams don’t cost anything”
