Word: futebol
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...Futebol, or soccer, has for a half century been the very heartbeat of Brazilian national pride as generation after generation of exquisitely talented players has donned the national team's canary-yellow jersey and showed the world how the "beautiful game" should be played. And Europe's elite leagues have long honored Brazil's contribution to the game by bringing dozens of Brazilian players to star in their top teams. But Brazil may have been a victim of its own success: Today, the national team is struggling, and the resultant crisis in national pride has enraged everyone from the fans...
...Except for one team. In São Paulo, at Pacaembu Stadium, 35,000 fans are on their feet, pounding samba drums. Legions of shirtless young men are cheering, "Corinthians, my life! Corinthians, my past! Corinthians, my true love!" Above them in the director's box sits the unlikeliest of futebol moguls, and the man who made it his goal to save their team, if not their league: Kia Joorabchian, 33, a suave, Iranian-born Brit...
...national passion, but also a vehicle to redeem themselves from their sense of underachievement in world affairs. After all, Brazil is a country with the resources, economic potential and the sheer size to be a global power. But it isn't, and until such time as that moment arrives, futebol provides the proud Brazilians with their best chance to be taken seriously as undisputed world leaders. That's why failure to bring home the cup is almost akin to treason. Less so for the Germans, who take their dominance in stride, as a mere byproduct of the Prussian efficiency they...
...beach. The shores of Ipanema and Leblon, sparsely populated during the week, are jammed each weekend with government workers who jet in from Brasilia--the nation's capital--to escape the boredom of a city built from scratch in the isolated interior. Four-story apartment buildings and kids playing futebol line the quiet streets of these neighborhoods although the construction of a high-rise hotel occasionally pierces the calm. These districts have their weekly fruit-and-vegetable market on a sidestreet like the famous "Copacabana." But Copacabana has been honky-tonk and out-of-style ever since Fred and Ginger...
...player in the game. His annual income: an estimated $500,000 from salary, bonuses, endorsement fees and his many business interests. At 29, he has played on all three of Brazil's world-championship teams, a feat that has made him a national idol in a land where futebol is revered and a welcome escape from an often dreary existence. Pelé, who plays inside left, scored one goal and set up two in the victory over Italy. Brazil as a three-time winner gained permanent possession of the cup, although, of course, the quadrennial championships will continue...