For Brazilians, a Chance to Live the Dream Every Four Years

In the Brazil of social division, hunger, street crime and political corruption, a ball can lift the country to a surreal level and sometimes even lend it the status of a superpower -- and I mean every ball. In tennis, volleyball and basketball, Brazil has also achieved remarkable victories, in some cases even sparking a proper "fever" to inspire young new talent.

But soccer is something special. Maybe it's because of Pele, one of those Brazilian personalities who managed to convey to the people the message that success early on in life can make you powerful.

The black-and-white ball doesn't just inspire little boys' dreams, but the dreams of an entire nation, which sees in soccer one of its few really positive sides. The success on the pitch only fuels this impression. Many Brazilians enjoy the chance to relive their youthful dreams every four years with the World Cup. During the tournament, countless Brazilians drop everything to cross their fingers and hope that their team comes out on top.

Pele's legacy

"King" Pele became a world champion at the tender age of 17. He remained in championship form, leading Brazil to a third World Cup title in 1970 -- and became a legend both at home and abroad. It's due to Pele that, for decades now, 99 percent of boys say they want to play for Brazil's national team when asked what they want to do when they grow up.

I was no different, at least between the ages of eight and 15 -- at first at an indoor soccer school, then with spiked boots as part of a small team, and finally, with FC Santos. The same FC Santos as Pele, who imbued the Number 10 jersey with a sense of mysticism and took it with him to the national team, the Selecao.

No limits

It was during this time that I came to understand the passion Brazilian boys have for soccer. On the pitch, there are no limits, no barriers. My biggest barrier back then was a broken knee. But eventually, the moment came for us all when we had to decide which path to follow: that of a first-class player with the glamour, income and heroic aura that comes with it, or that of the Brazil that grinds to a halt in order to watch the World Cup games of the Selecao. Continue with soccer, or concentrate on my studies? I chose the second path.

But those who succeed on the first path literally have an entire country at their feet. The governor of Sao Paulo passed a regulation that all public offices have to close two hours before kick-off when Brazil is playing. The central bank allows banks across the country to close two hours earlier than usual. And should you need the services of Brazil's justice system during the World Cup, you'd better plan accordingly. On days when Brazil is playing, officials and lawyers only serve the public between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

All of this is impressed on the minds of young Brazilians, most of whom grow up in very modest circumstances, frequently going without food in order to pay for transportation to soccer training.

I remember the story of my friend Wellington, who played soccer with me when I was 12, and who came from a very simple background. I gave him my spiked boots when I decided to "retire" from soccer. Two years later, I met him on the street in Santos. He was still trying to make it as a soccer player. With those same spiked boots.

Today there's only one thing left to do for me, Wellington, and the countless other Brazilian boys whose dreams of soccer stardom never materialized -- cross our fingers and cheer for our Selecao.