Athletico loses top scorer hospitalized before duel with Botafogo

Athletico have a last minute absence to face the Botafogoin a delayed game for the fifth round of the Brasileirão 2026. The clash takes place this Sunday (29), at 7:30 pm, at Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba.

With a virus, striker Felipe Chiqueti is out of the Furacão squad. The 21-year-old athlete was admitted to the Marcelino Champagnat Hospital, in Curitiba, to be closely monitored after feeling very ill.

Chiqueti is suspected of having hepatitis after experiencing symptoms such as high fever, diarrhea, and body aches. Information about the disease was initially disclosed by the journalist Monique Vilelayes TMC radioand confirmed by OneTwo Sports.

“Forward Felipe Chiqueti presented with a virus and did not participate in training this Saturday (28). The player will undergo tests and was not listed for the match this Sunday (29), against Botafogo” announced Athletico, through the press office, on Saturday night (28). Afterwards, the club confirmed that the athlete had been hospitalized for “further assessments”.

Furacão top scorer renewed contract until the end of 2029

Chiqueti is one of the players most used by Odair Hellmann. He only did not play in two (victory over Internacional, in the debut, and defeat to Fluminense) of Furacão’s seven games in Série A of the Brasileirão. In total, Chiqueti has five goals and three assists in 13 games for Furacão this year, being the club’s main scorer and biggest waiter so far.

Last week, Athletico renewed the contract with Chiqueti until the end of 2028. The Caju piá’s appreciation happened precisely in the attacker’s last chance to be integrated into the main squad. He was close to being traded to Estrela Amadora, from Portugal, and turned 21 on February 9, which means he can no longer be used in the under-20 team.

Featured in the team of aspirants, which played most of the 2026 Paranaense Championship, Chiqueti was the most valued player in the competition. At the State awards, the Athletico striker stole the show and won three individual awards: revelation, top scorer and best average of the tournament, according to data from the specialized platform Sofascore

Despite the concern of the technical committee, Felipe Chiqueti does not have a place in the Rubro-Negro starting team. The offensive trio should once again be formed by Julimar, Steven Mendoza and Kevin Viveros. On the other hand, Odair has defender Carlos Terán and midfielder Luiz Gustavo on the list of those involved. The pair have been suffering from physical problems, but were re-evaluated in training this Saturday and are cleared by the medical department.

Athletico x Botafogo: where to watch the game live that is worth a spot on G4 or off ZR

The game between Athletico x Botafogo, scheduled for 7:30 pm, will be broadcast exclusively on Premiere (pay-per-view).

The Hurricane You can enter the G4 if you win the match. In this scenario, the team will reach 16 points, equaling the score of the tricolors São Paulo and Fluminense, who share second place in Series A. The São Paulo team has an advantage in goal difference (5 to 4) over the Rio team, and Furacão will only be able to overcome São Paulo if they win by three goals.

On the other hand, Botafogo appears, with six points, in 17th place and needs to add a point to get out of the relegation zone. The Rio club, which fired coach Martín Anselmi, will be led by the interim Rodrigo Bellãowho was an assistant and left Athletico at the end of 2024.

On the field, Bellão has important absences due to FIFA Data. Midfielder Danilo is with the Brazilian team, while defender Ferraresi was called up to Venezuela. In addition to the duo, there are six injured: Joaquín Corrêa, Allan, Newton and Marçal, Chris Ramos and Kaio Pantaleão, with the last two not even making their debut this season.