Texto 1 - Influence on Others - Part I

Not only was Pelé a symbol of Brazil, he was a symbol within the structures of Brazilian society. At this time in Brazil as Galeano describes, “in the global social pyramid, blacks are at the bottom and whites are at the top. In Brazil this is called “racial democracy' ”(1) This social hierarchy was rigid in Brazil, like in so many countries, and few of those born on the lower end of the chain were able to navigate their way to the top. Some of the rare few who could climb the social ladder were athletes who gained fame and status, both social and economic, through their athletic prowess.

Clearly Pelé was such an athlete. Galeano comments: “With the passage of time, the old soccer mutilated by racism gave way to splendor of its diverse colors. And after so many years it is obvious that Brazil's best players have always been blacks or mulattos. All of them came up from poverty, soccer offers a shot at social mobility for a poor child”(2) Pelé's ascent from birth into a poor Brazilian family to becoming an international superstar was evidence of the socially-mobilizing tool of football.

To other poor Brazilians, Pelé was a source of hope and confidence that they too could overcome their hardships. Journalist Joao Luiz de Albuquerque said of Pelé's impact: “He was the light at the end of the tunnel. All the poor said, “hey, this guy made it, I can make it” He brought the rest of Brazil with him"(3).

* (1) Galeano, Eduardo. Soccer in Sun and Shadow. London UK: Verso 1998. Page 43.

* (2) Galeano 43

* (3)Kirby espn.com. Also on this topic: Murray, Bill. The Worlds Game: A history of Soccer. University of Illinois Press: Chicago 1996. Page 120.

From: https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/research-projects/brazil/pele/influence-on-others/. Accessed on 01/11/2023