Remembering Pele: Race and football in Brazil ft Ana Paula da Silva

THE FOOTPOL PODCAST

December 29 marks the first anniversary of Pele's death. As one of the world's greatest football players, Pele's impact goes beyond the football pitch into politics, society and popular folklore. To discuss Pele's legacy in Brazil,  co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Ana Paula da Silva, who studies race and gender at the Fluminense Federal University in Rio de Janeiro. Ana Paula explains how Pele was perceived and judged in terms of race and race relations during his career from the 1950s to the 1970s. She observes that he became a controversial figure to some, especially when compared to other important players of that time, like Garrincha and Paulo Cezar Caju. Ana Paula then discusses the subject of race and Brazilian football in the last decades, looking at developments among players and fans on the terraces, the impact and legacy of the 2014 World Cup and race relations during the right-wing presidency of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-22).

Ana Paula's study of the subject can be found in more detail in her book, available in Portuguese as Pele e o Complexo de Vira-Latas [Pele and the Mongrel Complex].

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