LEGACY
Not many know the exact origin of soccer. Many have different theories on how the sport came into being, but in the end none of the theories matter in comparison to the legacy it has brought to the minds of thousands of individuals who use soccer as an escape from troublesome reality.
The first world cup was held in 1930, when FIFA president Jules Rimmet announced a tournament to invite 13 international teams to compete for the World cup every 4 years. The World cup is to some, the most esteemed trophy and achievement an athlete can win. The trophy was crafted from pure solid gold, and depicted the Greek goddess of victory lifting a cup.
From the moment of the tournaments conception, politics began to influence what was seen as the most cared about sporting event next to the Olympics. In 1942, Germany officially offered to host the world cup but was turned down due to the heat of World war 2. And before long, all tournament plans were cancelled and the event did not take place. Since FIFA, an organization founded to organize soccer events, was founded in the neutral country of Switzerland, they were not deeply effected by the war of the time. But financial situations and controversy, forced FIFA to once again cancel the 1946 world cup.
But in 1950, the tournament resumed with much anticipation and applause and was to be hosted in Brazil for the first time. This colorful and zestful country showed passion for the sport like no other of the time, and were named the favorites to win. But the cockiness and over-confidence of Brazil brought the country to their knees as Uruguay scored 2 surprising goals in the finals and were named the winner for that year.
Pele, who some consider to be the best player of all time, remembers seeing his father crying bitter tears after seeing his country lose at home. And in that moment of sadness a 7 year old Pele held his father's hands and promised his father that; "I will win the world cup for you."
And win he did, Pele went on to win the world cup 3 times with his country, and was given the Jules Rimmet because Brazil had won it 3 times in a row. He also was named a national treasure by his country of Brazil, held political office as project advisor and used this position to better the living situation of the poor and destitute of Brazil. People like Pele used their iconography as a means to shape the politics of the country. And in Brazil in both past and future, soccer has played a massive role in how the leaders choose to almost sedate their people by using the beloved sport.
Soccer's Deep Influence in Brazillian History
Contrary to what it is now, Brazil was not always a democracy. In fact the militeristic regime Brazil was under understood that to supress the people soccer had to be the main focus of the people. If this idea was implimented the people would be hoplessley sedated and would have no interest in current events. But this idea was turned on it's head when a brazillian player named Socrates advocated to change his soccer club's political status to a democracy where representatives could voice opinions. He came under heavy scrutiny but this political system eventually came to aid them and the soccer club Corinthians won the title for that year. And before long, the Brazilian populous became interested in their country's struggles and strongly advocated for Brazil to change their political state.
Socrates described that as the single greatest moment of his life.
Who could have expected that such a trivial sport where one kicks a ball into a goal, eventually go on to influence a country's entire political status? How did a game spark interest in important topics? Soccer from the beginning was about hopes, dreams, and international identity, and has not changed since. In Brazil and every country in the world, children dream of using their skill in the sport to feed their families, give people joy, and bring pride to their country. That is why Soccer is inherently different from any other sport in the world, the joyfulness of the people given by the legacy of the sport is something that inspires people to use the sport to influence their country and the ideas of the people around them.
Socrates described that as the single greatest moment of his life.
Who could have expected that such a trivial sport where one kicks a ball into a goal, eventually go on to influence a country's entire political status? How did a game spark interest in important topics? Soccer from the beginning was about hopes, dreams, and international identity, and has not changed since. In Brazil and every country in the world, children dream of using their skill in the sport to feed their families, give people joy, and bring pride to their country. That is why Soccer is inherently different from any other sport in the world, the joyfulness of the people given by the legacy of the sport is something that inspires people to use the sport to influence their country and the ideas of the people around them.