The Beautiful Game

Between 1969 and 1993, Brazilian soccer experienced some of its greatest moments of glory, contradictions, and transformations. The Beautiful Game: Great Interviews from Brazilian Soccer (1969-1993) brings together historic conversations with some of the biggest names in Brazilian sports, revealing not only what goes on behind the scenes on the field but also the political, cultural, and human conflicts that defined an era.

In this richly illustrated volume, star players and key figures in Brazilian soccer speak candidly about their careers, fame, the dictatorship, the professionalization of the sport, popular passion, and the country's destiny. It features anthological interviews with Pelé, Garrincha, Tostão, Afonsinho, Paulo César Caju, Sócrates, and Zico, as well as testimonials and documents related to the historic Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, the Corinthians Democracy, and the legendary journalist and coach João Saldanha.

More than just a book about soccer, this collection is a vibrant portrait of Brazil in transformation-a country seen through the voices of its most popular idols. With rare interviews, historical images, and period documents, Abrindo o jogo recovers the power of the spoken word in Brazilian soccer and shows how players were also critical interpreters of society, politics, and national culture.

Ideal for readers interested in:

• the history of Brazilian soccer;
• sports history;
• cultural journalism;
• dictatorship and redemocratization;
• Brazilian popular culture;
• great figures in sports.