Abstract

This article analyzes the political and artistic context of Brazilian football. I attempt to understand how football became a true national passion, encompassing all social classes, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. I present the Brazilian national team from its heyday – with memorable players such as Pelé, Garrincha, Rivelino, Ronaldo Fenômeno, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho – to its downfall, marked by its transformation into a team of average technical quality. I argue that such downfall is related to the lack of investment in the formation and maintenance of players in Brazil, as they emigrate ever earlier after being sold to foreign teams, particularly in the European continent.