The Black Man in Brazilian Soccer

Latin America in Translation

by Mário Filho, Jack A Draper (Contributor)

At turns lyrical, ironic, and sympathetic, Mario Filho's chronicle of "the beautiful game" is a classic of Brazilian sports writing. Filho (1908–1966)—a famous Brazilian journalist after whom Rio's Maracana stadium is officially named—tells the Brazilian soccer story as a boundary-busting one of race relations, popular culture, and national identity. Now in English for the first time, the book highlights national debates about the inclusion of African-descended people in the body politic and situates early black footballers as key creators of Brazilian culture.When first introduced to Brazil by British expatriots at the end of the nineteenth century, the game was reserved for elites, excluding poor, working-class, and black Brazilians. Filho, drawing on lively in-depth interviews with coaches, players, and fans, points to the 1920s and 1930s as watershed decades when the gates cracked open. The poor players and players of color entered the game despite virulent discrimination. By the mid-1960s, Brazil had established itself as a global soccer powerhouse, winning two World Cups with the help of star Afro-Brazilians such as Pele and Garrincha. As a story of sport and racism in the world's most popular sport, this book could not be more relevant today.

Genres: Sports

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mário Rodrigues Filho, better known as Mário Filho was a Brazilian journalist and brother of Nelson Rodrigues. Born in the capital of Pernambuco state, Mário Filho moved to Rio while still a child, in 1916. His father, Mário Rodrigues, owned the newspaper "A Manhã" ("The Morning"). The younger Mário began at his father's paper in 1926 as a sports reporter, pursuing a relatively undeveloped form of journalism.

Reviews

[Claudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

50 anos de história do futebol brasileiro, principalmente carioca, 50 anos de história da sociedade brasileira.

[Guilherme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obra imprescindível da literatura e sociologia brasileira. Mário Filho, junto com seu irmão Nelson Ridrigues, são responsáveis pelo fenômeno do futebol entranhado à sociedade brasileira. Casos como o de Francisco Carregal pelo Bangu, ou o time do Vasco de 1923 (primeiro clube campeão a ter negros e mulatos na equipe) são contextualizados com maestria por Mário Filho.

[Javi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is thorough on the early history of Black players and Brazilian soccer. It does help to know a little bit about the subject first.