Although football was born in England, it found its true spirit in Brazil. The Brazilians transformed football into a rhythm of life. Battling with poverty and hardship, generations of Brazilians grew up with the sport embedded in their very being. Their passion for football is like the relentless flow of the Amazon River—endless and unstoppable. ‘Seleção’ Becomes Colorful in Brazilian Football.
Brazil, the land of beautiful football, has seen legends carry its flag across eras—Pelé, Garrincha, Socrates, Zico, Cafu, Romário, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and modern-day stars like Neymar and Thiago Silva. Their love for the game is eternal. Brazil’s football legacy continues, proving that for Brazilians, football is not just a game—it’s a way of life.
Wearing the yellow jersey on green grass, Brazilians create breathtaking magic with the ball. Carlos Alberto, the captain of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, once said,
“For Brazilians, this yellow jersey is sacred. When we wear it, we feel pride. At the same time, it brings responsibility. It inspires and excites everyone.”
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How ‘Seleção’ Became Synonymous with Brazil
In the world of football, Brazil is often called Seleção. But how did this name become associated with Brazilian football?
Brazil was once a colony of Portugal. Even after gaining independence in 1822, the Portuguese influence remained deeply established in the country’s language and culture. Over time, Brazil’s identity was shaped by a mixture of immigrants from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Portugal.
Unlike the rest of South America, which was under Spanish rule, Brazil remained a Portuguese colony. As a result, it became the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America, carrying strong traces of Portuguese heritage in its customs and culture—including football.
In Portuguese, Brazil is called ‘Brasil’, and the word ‘Seleção‘ means “the selected team.” This term became the defining identity of the Brazilian national football team.
Other Names of the Brazilian Football Team
Besides Seleção, Brazil’s national football team was also known as Canarinha and Verde-Amarela.
In the 1950s, the team was popularly called Canarinha, meaning “the little canary.” This name originated from a famous yellow bird in Brazil, the Canarinho. Brazilian cartoonist Fernando Pieruccetti helped popularize this nickname. In line with this, Brazil adopted the yellow jersey, which became iconic when they won their first World Cup in 1958.
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