In the 2026 FIFA World Cup, water break pauses, sporadically tested in previous editions, became mandatory, halting the game around the 22nd minute of each half. The justification for the breaks is the protection of the athletes' health, but questions have arisen about how broadcasting companies use this interval to ensure another extra advertising period.
In the opinion of former football goalkeeper and writer Mário Lúcio Aranha, the universe of football has increasingly become a space of commerce. "We know that it's much more about advertising, business, and money than about the physical health and integrity of the athlete. So, everything in football is commerce, it has to make money. It's a world that moves billions and billions. In reality, the game is the least important thing; what matters is making a profit and achieving success."
Racism and football
In an interview with the program, [...]Text: Good Living ConversationText: "From the"Brazil's Radio FatoSpider also analyzed the current Brazilian selection. In his opinion, there has been a "Europeanization" of the playing style of this new generation. "We no longer have a player with Brazilian football characteristics. Everyone leaves here precisely because they have European football characteristics. You had a competitive team like the others, but individuality always ended up solving, defining, and deciding some games for the Brazilian national team, something that no longer exists. We have a high-level and competitive team, but it is no different from the others."
Spider is a reference in the fight against racism both on and off the fields. He himself was a victim of an incident in 2014, when playing for Santos. During a Copa do Brasil match at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre, the opposing fans made racist remarks. In his view, that episode was a turning point in football.
From that moment on, the number of complaints increased and have continued to increase. And there is thisPartnership with the Racial Discrimination Observatory"Through Marcelo Carvalho, who has been following this since then," said Aranha.
Spider, who had the opportunity to coexist with Pelé, commented on how the King of football dealt with racism. He contextualized that, although Pelé did not make direct statements against the crime, his very existence and continued presence in a prominent space were already a form of resistance.
He didn't have a sharper, more aggressive, more radical speech, but his presence was already an affront, his presence opened doors, his presence changed the way people took pride. I'm from 1980, so I experienced a significant part of this massive racial pessimism, where most blacks felt ashamed of their own skin color.
Literature
After retiring from football, Aranha is now pursuing a career in literature. He has already published two books: "Brasil Tumbeiro" (2021), which reflects on the history of Black people in Brazil; and a work about the Black abolitionist José do Patrocínio, titled "Patrocínio" (2022).
Aranha's future works will soon reach the general public. "I have already finished one about Chico Rei, which is with the publisher, and I am finishing another one about football, titled 'The Two Sides of the Ball,' which is the inside, the outside, the side people know and see, and the side only those who work in football have access to," the writer commented.
Well Living Conversation
The tuning for Rádio Brasil de Fato is 98.9 FM in Greater São Paulo.
Just like the other programs onRádio Brasil de Fato, you can access this content in advance to reproduce it for free on your radio. Access thisformand register
There are dozens of radios that are part of this movement!