Soccer Mania Takes Over Brazil
by Erica Miller Back to JOUR 440 Page
An hour before the game, the streets of Florianopolis, Brazil are filled with cars rushing home. You can feel the excitement in the air.
The whole city shuts down when Brazil plays during the soccer World Cup. Bars become packed, but restaurants that are not broadcasting the game, Internet cafes, banks, schools, and shopping districts are all closed for the duration of the match.
“Futebol is at the heart of all Brazilians. It is a national passion, because it is something everyone plays,” Florianopolis resident Jeremie Bonelli said. “My friends and I all grew up playing futebol.”
Fans celebrate in Rio de Janeiro (AP Photos)
Brazil has played in more World Cup finals than any other team. They have won five World cup championships (also a record), and were expected to bring home a sixth world title, until they were eliminated by France in the quarterfinals round last July 1.
Being the only nation to have participated in every World Cup, Brazil holds the record for most victories (60) and goals scored (191).
Now they have a new record, as futebol star Ronaldo’s opening goal during the Ghana match tied him as the top scorer in World Cup games with 14 goals. Later during that game, Ronaldo scored again, becoming the all-time top scorer with 15 goals.
Ronaldo celebrates his record goal in the Ghana match (BBC News)
Fireworks, horns, whistles and roars echo through the city after every goal Brazil scores. The World Cup is not just any sporting event in Brazil, it is an important part of the culture.
You can’t watch anything else when the team plays. Families, friends and children gather around any working television set. All eyes are glued to the TV when the game is on.
Even though the team wins, Brazilian audience members still criticize the team’s performance.
HIGH ANXIETY
“I was not as nervous during [the Ghana] game than I am about the game against France,” Eduardo Ayres said ahead of the disastrous France match.
Watching the match at a bar in Porto Alegre (Agencia RBS)
The loss against France on Saturday was even harder for Brazilians to take because France beat Brazil 3-0 in the World Cup finals in 1998 for the winning title.
Some Brazilians believe that Nike paid off Ronaldo and other players so they would lose to France, however there is no evidence to prove this. Nike is one of the main World Cup sponsors.
COMMERCIALISM
Some fans also believe that commercialism is destroying futebol's artistry.
“Soccer is getting more commercial, as all the players are going off to different countries to make more money. The national team used to be better ten years ago,” Ayres said.
However, Brazil was not the sole South American team to show potential in the World Cup games.
Like Brazil, Argentina has strength and depth and had its best chance this year, since last winning the crown in 1986 when Diego Maradona was at his peak, according to USA Today. Argentina was eliminated by Germany on a June 30 game.
“We wanted Argentina to play Brazil in the finals, because it would be a great game. They are our rival team,” Thiago Trossimi said.
Argentina was expected to be one of the main teams to play in the final, along with Germany and Italy. However, they lost to Germany in the game by 2-4.
Currently, Brazil is already planning ahead for the 2014 World Cup games, which the country hopes will be held in Brazil.
See great video clips of past games at:
Click here for more information about the history of past World cups
Click here for more futebol photos.