Brasil 2, 2000

João Luiz Bulcão  

It was in Brazil in the early 1970s. I was seven years old and we lived under the dictatorship of General Médici. My first visual emotion is linked to a childhood memory. A legendary “futebol” match between Brazil and Italy for the World Cup final at the Aztecs stadium in Mexico. These images broadcast on television, live and in black and white, contrasted with those of the crowd dressed in the colors of my country: yellow, green and blue which invaded the streets and the multicolored fireworks which exploded in the city. end of the match in the squares of my neighborhood. The “Seleção” had conquered its third title of World Champion. The military junta appropriated this victory which stimulated national pride. She used it as an element of propaganda to instill the idea that thanks to her everything was possible. This is how at home the round ball was taken hostage. Twenty-four years later, I participated as a photographer in this same ritual as our national team brought back this much-desired trophy for the fourth time. I remember the crazy moments that surrounded their victorious comeback. I remember seeing these heroes parade with open arms in the avenues of Rio de Janeiro. Political power had changed hands and we were consolidating the use of democracy. Whether the ball is plastic, rubber, leather, cardboard, rag, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that, whatever the terrain, it can roll. For us Brazilians, the ball is synonymous with breathing. Building teams is an invitation to fraternity. Around a ball, there is neither rich nor poor. We challenge each other of all genders and all ages. We play north to south and east to west in this continental-sized country. I have photographed players on beaches, in favelas, on the streets, in prisons and even on oil rigs. Next to the players, in the stadiums, I met supporters who were passionate about their clubs, their teams, their idols. Victories and defeats are moments when sadness, joy and faith are expressed in an instinctive and spontaneous choreography. Each step, each dribble, each missed or successful goal, reminds me of the talent of one of my idols as they fill the imagination of millions of anonymous players. Wearing the yellow t-shirt of the national team… wherever they live, kids survive thanks to this quest for the Grail: to contribute to collective victory by making people forget their personal defeats. How many have seen their lives changed? One in a million, the most realistic would say. Pelé, Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Raï, Neymar… most of them emerged from miserable ghettos and talent has opened the doors to the world for them! Dreams of ordinary kids, football is a reflection of the enthusiasm Brazilians have for life. Even after the humiliating defeat against Germany (7-1) at the last World Cup in his own house, the dream continues.