Football is life. That might has well been the title of David Goldblatt’s newest work, one that takes on the enormous task of explaining the Brazilian way of football. In Brazil football is a big part of life and politics and history, part of the social fabric of an emerging nation and future global anchor. It is an obsession that has taken the huge country by storm and it has been that way for years.
Goldblatt is one of the beautiful game’s greatest thinkers and writers, having compiled the iconic The Ball is Round in 2006. That book was a massive piece of work, almost 1000 pages in length, but one that detailed the true and comprehensive history of our game.
Now Goldblatt turns his attention to the wondrous footballing nation of Brazil in Futebol Nation: The Story of Brazil through Soccer just in time for the World Cup. Yes, World Cup titles are a dime a dozen this year, but this one is actually different.
It is completely exhaustive in detailing the history of football in Brazil. Like Spain, the country’s success on the pitch is not easily explained, but rather it is a long tale, a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. Politics, the military, protests, and social issues all play a part.
You’ll meet the greatest stars of the Brazilian game, from the one and only Pelé to the tragic character known as Garrincha. You will see how the domestic game has been tumultuous and how the national team has developed into a worldwide fan favorite.
Brazil is changing. It has become the de facto leader of South America off the pitch, developing industry and energy independence in a robust and growing economy. They are truly becoming a player on the world market in more ways than one. But one thing remains the same: football. The national team is always great and the domestic game produces great players and of course some shenanigans.
Hardcore supporters and casual fans will both get something from this book as will scholars, historians, and even sociologists. It is far-reaching in audience and just an incredible text overall.
This country and its people truly represent the sport of soccer, probably even more than England, where the modern game theoretically began. This book is a tribute to them and all that they bring, which puts the beauty in the beautiful game.
