The São Paulo has been struggling in the Brasileirão, not winning for ten rounds and approaching the relegation zone. However, the team has recently turned its form around with two consecutive wins, which earned the players a bonus in cash. This practice, known as "bicho molhado", is a payment made to players in a closed circle, not openly disclosed to all team members. The values of the bonus were not revealed, but they are not considered high.
The idea of paying the bonus came from the football executive Rafinha, who was well-received by the team's president Harry Massis. However, the practice is not meant to occur regularly, as the board knows it does not have the resources for it. The São Paulo has bonuses previously defined in the season for classification in each phase of the cups, Brazil and South America, and for the final placement in the Brasileirão.
The team will now focus on the Copa Sul-Americana, where they will face Boca Juniors in the quarterfinals.