Brazil: Futebol, Football, or Soccer – The Brazilian National Passion

Futebol, Football, or Soccer – The Brazilian National Passion

World Curriculum/Elementary Classes - Brazil - by Ms. Mila Vasconcelos

Flamengo x Fluminense at Maracana Stadium - Rio de Janeiro/Brazil

I was born and raised in Niterói, a city just across the famous President Costa e Silva Bridge from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Brazil is football, you’re absolutely right! Football—or futebol as we call it in Portuguese is our favorite sport and a great part of our identity.

My niece with my brother's favorite jersey: no other option, Flamengo it is!

From the moment you’re born, your family stakes their claim on your fandom. Even while still in the womb, your allegiance might already be decided—Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco, or Botafogo? Transitioning to a different team later in life is seen as betrayal, and you’ll quickly earn the title of "vira-casaca" (a charming way of calling you a turncoat). Of course, all of this is in good fun, and it only adds to the excitement and passion that

At the age of 10, she remained faithful to her dad's team!

surround football fans in Brazil.

For Brazilians, Wednesdays and Sundays are sacred. You can see people going to a stadium or gathered around the TV, all focused on the current championship happening. These are the days to cheer for your team, sing your heart out, and celebrate every goal like it’s the last one you’ll ever see. As an expat returning home, it took me a while to reconnect with the fervor of the championships, but before long, I found myself donning a new jersey and shouting alongside family and friends again. It happens every time I go back to Rio de Janeiro to visit my family and friends.

Growing up, I was caught between my father’s love for Fluminense and my mother’s family’s loyalty to Flamengo. I sided with my dad (sorry, Grandpa!), but my brother stayed with the Flamenguistas. Despite our differences, we often went to the legendary Maracanã Stadium together to enjoy the game side by side. Now, my brother’s daughter has already joined the Flamengo family—continuing the tradition.

The Many Ways Brazilians Play Futebol

My brother and my dad are ready to kickstart their weekly match. The "Grupo da Villa" or "Villa's Group" is an independent football team with 30 years of existence, part of my family and friends tradition

In Brazil, Football isn’t just about cheering for the pros—it’s about playing the game too! Another tradition deeply ingrained in Brazilian culture, especially among men, is playing in private groups. Sunday mornings or Monday nights are sacred for those who want to live their football dreams—minus the glamour or paychecks. These casual games, fondly called “pelada”, are all about fun, exercise, and bonding with friends. Some teams come dressed in proper jerseys, while others split into shirts vs. skins for simplicity. Despite being recreational, the official rules are taken very seriously—because in Brazil, every game is a championship!

My friend Fernanda and her Altinha group at Leme Beach, Rio de Janeiro

And if that weren’t enough, Brazilians take their love for the sport to the beach with “Altinha”. This mix of football moves and beach volleyball is a true spectacle. Players use their heads, feet, and chest to keep the ball in the air without letting it touch the sand. It’s as much a workout as it is a performance, blending skill, agility, and a lot of laughs. Combine this with the backdrop of our amazing beaches, and you’ll understand why Brazilians are known for their athleticism—and yes, their beach-ready bodies! Hahaha, just kidding (kind of)!

A Passion for Many, but Not for All

Yes, football is Brazil’s lifeblood, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Some Brazilians find their passion elsewhere, like in gymnastics, skateboarding, volleyball, or surfing, where we’ve shone on the world stage, including at the Paris Olympics in 2024. I have to praise all the Olympic athletes who represent our country so well all around the world.

I learned this lesson firsthand during my first teaching job abroad in North Carolina. Bringing a shiny new soccer ball signed by my Brazilian students seemed like a brilliant idea to connect with my American students—only for them to say, "Miss, we don’t really play soccer here." Let’s just say I was both surprised and humbled. We ended up having fun just kicking the ball around, but it was a reminder that passions differ from place to place.

I had to try my best to teach my American students some moves!

Middle East x Brazil: A Shared Passion

Moving to the Middle East reignited my love for football. From the moment I landed in Bahrain, football became the icebreaker. "Ronaldo or Ronaldinho?" "Have you been to Maracanã?" The conversations flowed effortlessly, and I was quickly checking up on my team’s performance to stay in the loop.

At my school, football dominates recess and PE. It’s a reward, an obsession, and a common language among my students. Witnessing this enthusiasm inspired me to weave it into my world curriculum for the art room.

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Back to the Art Room, What Do We Do?

One thing every football team cherishes is their identity—colors, symbols, mascots, and jerseys. They’re more than just designs; they’re a source of pride and belonging. To channel this passion, I tasked my students with creating their very own Football Brand Kit.

Using the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, they explored color palettes, crafted logos, designed mascots, and even created unique jerseys. The project took longer than I anticipated, but it was worth every second. It was so nice to see students sharing their ideas, and creating something that was truky meaningful to them, as was for me!

Lesson Plan: Football Brand Kit Design

Duration: 4–5 class periods (55 minutes each)

Grade Level: Grades 4–8

Resources/Materials:

• Drawing paper

• Colored pencils, markers, and crayons

• Rulers

• Reference images of football kits, logos, and mascots

• Access to design tools (optional: Canva or similar apps)

  
  

  Instructions (Step-by-Step):

  1. Introduction (20 minutes)

     • Discuss the cultural significance of football in Brazil and around the world.

     • Show examples of football kits, logos, and mascots, highlighting their design elements.

  2. Brainstorming (30 minutes)

     • Ask students to imagine their own football team. What’s the team’s name, color scheme, mascot, and logo?

     • Encourage them to consider what these choices say about their team’s personality and identity.

  3. Sketching the Logo (1–2 periods)

     • Guide students in creating a rough sketch of their team’s logo, focusing on symbolism and simplicity.

     • Offer feedback to refine their designs before adding color.

  4. Designing the Jersey (1–2 periods)

     • Students will design a team jersey, incorporating their logo and chosen color scheme.

     • Encourage them to think about how their designs balance functionality and aesthetics.

  5. Creating the Mascot (1 period)

     • Students design a mascot that embodies their team’s spirit. This could be an animal, character, or abstract symbol.

  6. Presentation (30 minutes)

     • Students present their Football Brand Kits to the class, explaining their design choices and how they reflect their team’s identity.

       
       

Why This Is Culturally Responsive Activity?

This activity taps into the universal love of sports while celebrating individual creativity and cultural identity. It encourages students to think critically about design, symbolism, and self-expression, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. By connecting the project to the global phenomenon of football, students gain a broader understanding of how culture shapes the world around them.

It was truly meaningful to me as resonates with my own culture and passions, and being able to share a little bit about my background with my students makes me feel very lucky in my profession every time.

I hope you have the same fun and passion, cheering a cultural element from your culture with others. Loves and cheers from my family and friends to you all!

See you in our next post!

Ms. Mila