Sports fans often go to extraordinary lengths to celebrate their passion, but Tales Monteiro, a 23-year-old from Florianópolis, Brazil, took it to the next level. Inspired by Botafogo’s historic victory in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, Tales immortalized the moment with a tattoo based on Sofascore’s innovative Attack Momentum feature. His story is a testament to the love and loyalty of a true fan, and it has resonated with thousands of people across the soccer community.
From Birth to Botafogo Loyalty
For Tales, being a Botafogo fan is more than a choice – it’s a family tradition. “Botafogo came into my life before I even understood what soccer was,” he explains. His father, uncles, and grandfather passed down their love for the club, and as a child, Tales proudly wore the black-and-white jersey at every opportunity.
The turning point came in 2010 during the iconic chipped penalty by Loco Abreu against Flamengo. “That was the moment,” Tales recalls. “It turned me into a die-hard fan.”
His journey with Botafogo hasn’t been easy. Like many fans, Tales endured the club’s financial crises, heartbreaking losses, and near-bankruptcy in 2020. “I thought the club was done for – bankrupt and gone. I thought I’d never see them play live again,” he admits.
But in 2024, Botafogo’s resurgence brought Tales unforgettable moments. He attended 11 matches in five different cities, witnessing nine victories and one draw.
There are some stories behind those games. I was there for Botafogo’s biggest win in the Brazilian Championship– 5-1 against Juventude. That was actually my sister’s first Botafogo game in a stadium, so it was a special day for us. I also went to both derby matches against Flamengo – a 2-0 away win and a glorious 4-1 home victory.
Tales Monteiro, Botafogo fan
“Watching them lift the Copa Libertadores trophy? That was the dream,” he says.
The Journey to Copa Libertadores Glory
Botafogo’s path to their first-ever Copa Libertadores title was as inspiring as it was dramatic. The team delivered great performances throughout the tournament, including a 4-3 aggregate win against Palmeiras in the Round of 16 and a 5-0 home demolition of Peñarol in the semifinals.
The final against Atlético Mineiro, held at the iconic Monumental de Núñez in Buenos Aires, was a historic showdown. Botafogo triumphed 3-1, with Tales in the stadium to witness the victory firsthand. “I cried so much,” he says. “It was one of the happiest moments of my life.”
The Tattoo: A Unique Tribute
After the final, Tales knew he wanted a permanent way to commemorate the win, but finding the right idea wasn’t easy. “I saw people getting tattoos of club crests, trophies, or even the Argentine flag. None of those felt personal enough to me,” he says.
The inspiration came from Sofascore’s Attack Momentum graph, shared by Fogostats, a fellow Botafogo fan on social media. “The second I saw it, I knew: THAT was the tattoo,” Tales recalls. He added a personal touch to the design by including the numbers 7, 13, and 11 to honor the players who scored in the final.
I made two promises – if we won, I’d get a tattoo to remember the day and shave my beard down to just a mustache (which I’ve had for years, so it felt like a fun way to mark the occasion). The game was insane. I cried a ton. We won!
Tales Monteiro, Botafogo fan
With his idea finalized, Tales booked an appointment with a trusted tattoo artist. “I told him, ‘This is it. No turning back.’ Even though he’s not a soccer fan, he thought the idea was brilliant.”
The tattoo quickly gained traction online. “I thought it might get some love from other Botafogo fans, but it blew up – almost 20,000 likes in under 24 hours. Even Sofascore’s official accounts reposted it!”
Attack Momentum: The Feature That Inspired the Tattoo
Sofascore’s Attack Momentum is one of the platform’s standout features, offering fans a dynamic way to analyze matches. The graph visually represents the flow of a game, showing which team dominated at any given moment. By highlighting periods of offensive pressure, counterattacks, and defensive stands, Attack Momentum captures the story behind the scoreline. Read about Attack Momentum here.
For Tales, this feature perfectly symbolized Botafogo’s victory. “It’s not just data—it’s a story,” he says. Whether you’re reliving a Copa Libertadores final or analyzing your favorite team’s weekly performance, Attack Momentum provides an intuitive and detailed view of the action. [Learn more about Sofascore’s features and how they elevate game day experience here.]
Sofascore: The Ultimate Tool for Sports Fans
Tales has been a loyal Sofascore user since 2020, and the platform has become an essential part of his sports experience.
I had two other apps – Flashscore and 365Scores, but I didn’t like their UX. Sofascore just felt right. I can confidently say I never go more than 48 hours without opening Sofascore, whether it’s for Botafogo, soccer, the NBA, or the NFL.
Tales Monteiro, Botafogo fan
For him, features like Attack Momentum add depth to the game. “It shows who dominated and when, and it gives you a sense of how the match really went beyond just the scoreline. That’s why I wanted it inked.”
A Permanent Reminder of Passion and Loyalty
Tales Monteiro’s tattoo is more than just a tribute to Botafogo’s Copa Libertadores triumph. It’s a symbol of his unwavering passion for the club and his journey as a fan. “I’ve been through so much with this club – heartbreaks, disappointments, and even moments where I thought it was over. But we made it. This tattoo reminds me of that,” he says.
As a piece of art and a testament to resilience, Tales’ tattoo has inspired fans far and wide. It’s proof of the creative ways sports fans celebrate their teams and the memories that define them.
Why Sofascore Matters
Tales’ story highlights how platforms like Sofascore enhance the fan experience. By providing innovative features like Attack Momentum, Sofascore connects fans to the game on a deeper level. Whether you’re analyzing match stats, tracking your favorite team, or reliving iconic moments, Sofascore is the go-to platform for passionate sports enthusiasts. Download the app here.
This unforgettable tale of fandom and innovation is a reminder that soccer is more than just a game – it’s a way of life.