A journey through the Wild West of Brazilian soccer
In
Jogo Bonito
, or "the beautiful game," readers meet an eclectic cast of characters, such as Mario Zagallo, the four-time World Cup winner; the long, lost son of Garrincha; Brazil's best-loved bad boy player turned politician, Romario; and many more. They take a trip to an away game with the country's most violent hooligans, visit the home of the world's largest amateur soccer tournament, and enjoy a boozy dinner with South America's most famous commentator—he of "goooooooool" fame. Jogo Bonito is a history, a travelogue, and a gonzo-style report into a country which has the sixth biggest economy in the world and yet questionable records on education, healthcare, and corruption. The result is a book that not only tells the story of Brazilian soccer, but also of today's Brazil.