You may not know this, but tomorrow Brazil’s first World Cup game will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, against North Korea. Or maybe you do know, and will be following events closely.I’m aware that soccer is not that popular here in America, and you may not be following the schedule, but I can assure you that the U.S. has a pretty good team.On top of that, Time magazine’s (special double issue) cover this week features “America’s Soccer Boom” as its main story.
And according to Time’s editor-at-large Bill Saporito, “Soccer won’t ever be NFL big … but in so many ways, soccer has become a big and growing sport … What’s changed is that this sport and this World Cup matter to Americans.”In Brazil, the subject doesn’t even need to be on magazines’ covers. We are all about soccer. We are, as people say down there, “o país do futebol,” that is, “the    country of soccer.”I’m not as big a soccer geek as most Brazilians are, but I must confess that the World Cup is an event that deeply touches any Brazilian’s memories and imagination.Excitement about tomorrow’s potential first victory is unavoidable. Party is guaranteed at one of my Brazilian friend’s apartment, not only for Brazilians. I will tell you, his guest list features more than five nationalities.It is part of the Brazilian soccer pride. We want our international friends to see how good our team is — unless it fails I don’t even like to mention the possibility).This major sports event rings a carillon of bells; from childhood to the last World Cup in 2006, when our team took victory for granted and was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
I know that tomorrow, my home country will stop to watch the game.It’s not an official holiday, but some schools and workplaces declare break, or simply indulge absences.People gather in bars, restaurants, in the streets or at friend’s houses to cheer, drink and celebrate.A victory means nationwide happiness and gives the people a (false) hope that Brazil is going to be a better country, as good as we are in soccer.
The way our team conducts a game has a lot to do with the Brazilian national spirit: we are not geometrically precise, but we sure have a lot of swing. And the talent of star players that often came from a very humble social class is a gift to soccer audiences all over the world.I can even remember games from the time I wasn’t even born yet. The famous Brazil team from the 60’s and 70’s that became three-time world champions in 1970 is very much alive in my people’s memory and history.Magicians like Pelé, that later became Minister of Sports, and Garrincha, whose twisted legs would confuse the adversaries, are legends whose tricks and goals still trigger the ambitions of professional players.Every defeat and every victory is definitive for those who live the wonder and beauty of soccer.Brazil is not the only country where soccer (I keep wanting to say football, or “futebol”) is religion. Countries like Spain, Argentina (our main rivals) and England share the emotion and importance given to this skillful game.And America is definitely learning its way in this sport. Times are gone when the U.S. was not a strong team.Whoever faces America’s team (Brazil, maybe, later on?) can be concerned and cautious.The world has met in South Africa. Let’s watch. —
Contact Marcelo Vieira at [email protected]