BRAZIL'S 'O JOGO BONITO' IS ROOTED IN RACISM

Arthur Friedenreich (1892-1969), Brazil’s first mixed-race football star, faced racism while dribbling a path to becoming a legend in football. 

Born to a German father and an Afro-Brazilian mother, Friedenreich rose in football when white elites dominated the sport in Brazil. Yet, they couldn't ignore Friedenreich’s talent. He revolutionised the game by introducing the iconic ‘o jogo bonito’ style, blending street football’s fluid dribbling and agility that would come to define Brazilian football.

Despite facing exclusion and brutal opposition, Friedenreich carved out a place for himself, becoming a symbol of resistance against colonially-imposed racial discrimination. His legacy set the stage for future football legends, like Pelé (1940-2022) and Neymar.

Sources

https://sportsgazette.co.uk/capoeira-football-afro-brazilians-in-the-making-of-jogo-bonito

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/02/14/arthur-friedenreich-the-first-mixed-race-hero-in-brazilian-football-and-the-architect-of-their-early-glories

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/11/18/remembering-arthur-friedenrich-brazils-first-superstar

https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/research-projects/brazil/friedenreich/#:~:text=But%20his%20lasting%20impact%20lived,party%20with%20his%20white%20teammates