Luiz Henrique of Botafogo celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the match between ... [+]
This week could be the biggest delight or the biggest disappointment in the history of Botafogo football club, as they chase two of the most coveted trophies in South American football.
On Tuesday night Botafogo will face Palmeiras away from home in the Brazilian league. There are just three games left to go in a title race that sees both clubs locked in at the top of the table with 70 points each.
Then, on Saturday, Botafogo will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina to face off against Atlético Mineiro in the final of the continental championship; the Copa Libertadores. The game will take place in River Plate’s Estadio Monumental and is the biggest occasion on the South American football calendar.
Aerial view of the Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti prior to a match between River ... [+]
Botafogo last won a major title when they were crowned league champions in Brazil in 1995. Since then the wait for another title has been a very long one, and in recent years golden opportunities have slipped through their fingers.
Not least last seasons league title, which Palmeiras snatched from their hands. The club from São Paulo are going for their third league in a row and they do not have any Copa Libertadores distraction to contend with either. A dangerous beast at the best of times, but Palmeiras have been here before and Botafogo will be worries about their presence.
Results could suggest as much. Botafogo have drawn their last three in the league and won just one in five matches in all competitions. Perhaps, like last year, history is repeating itself and they might be handing away the trophy. A big victory this week could flip that on its head once more though, it’s a real title decider.
Whether that goes well or not must be forgotten when the team travel to Buenos Aires though. Even another league failure could be forgotten if Botafogo are to conquer the continent and win the Copa Libertadores, it would be the first in their history.
North American owner John Textor has seen his passion project Botafogo grow into serious contenders in both Brazil and South America, but can they finally take that next step and become Champions?
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 5: John Textor , Botafogo Owner, looks on prior to the match ... [+]