In an interview with Band, the agent said the decision to sell the forward was not driven by the player's wishes. Jesus, now 25, had become a key figure at Botafogo and was part of the side that won the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores in 2024.
“When we left Botafogo, which wasn’t what we wanted… I want to make that very clear. I want every Botafogo supporter to know that we asked to stay. At that moment, our request wasn’t accepted. Our intention was to remain.”
Batista said the player's affection for the club had been clear, but he felt the administrative leadership had not responded in kind.
“We’ve said everywhere in the world that Igor loves Botafogo, but when it came to our departure, we didn’t get the same response from the administrative side.”
The agent's criticism extended to money he says remains outstanding from the deal. He stressed that his comments were directed at the club's administrators rather than its supporters.
“I’m not talking about the supporters. I’m talking specifically about the administrative side. We made that deal, and Botafogo quite simply didn’t pay the player everything he was owed.
“We’ve made several unsuccessful attempts to renegotiate, to try to maintain his connection with Botafogo as an idol. But we haven’t had that same willingness from the administrators, either the previous ones or the current ones, to find some way of resolving things.
“He’s a player who hasn’t taken legal action against the club because of the love we feel for it and everything we experienced there.”
Globo Esporte reported that Botafogo's judicial recovery creditor list includes approximately R$11.9 million owed to Jesus personally and a further R$5.43 million to his image-rights company, IJ Athlete Direito de Imagem.
Batista also explained that he had envisaged a different future for the striker in Rio de Janeiro. With Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique leaving, he believed Jesus could become one of the leading figures in the next phase of the project.
“If we ever returned, it would have to be for a winning project, one that competes for titles, and where he’s recognised for everything Igor has already achieved.
“I tell him a lot: football is unpredictable, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But let’s make things very clear: Botafogo was our showcase.”
The agent said he had even proposed renewing Jesus's contract, giving him the captaincy and building his public profile before pursuing a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs.
“I went to Alessandro Brito and Deive Bandeira and said: ‘Guys, renew his contract, give him the captain’s armband, let’s work on his image, especially because of his relationship with the club, and let’s sell him to Real Madrid.’”
Instead, the transfer to Forest went ahead after an agreement between the clubs' leadership. Jesus remained with Botafogo for the 2025 Club World Cup and scored the winner in the group-stage victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward has since made 42 appearances for Forest, scoring seven goals, according to Opta. Despite renewed interest from Brazil, his representatives have indicated that he intends to continue his career in England for now.