The start of the FIFA World Cup usually triggers the revival of one of Jamaica’s most intense rivalries: Team Brazil vs Team Argentina. However, Brazil’s national football team undoubtedly has the largest fan base in Jamaica.

Athlete Manager and Head of Leep Marketing, Tanya Lee Perkins says that Jamaica’s dedication to the Brazilian football team extends beyond the similarities between both countries’ national flags.

“For Jamaica, Brazil is a symbol of black pride because of Pele, who was considered in the 60s and 70s to be the greatest footballer in the history of the sport,” she said. 

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is a former Brazilian professional footballer. He was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games are recognised as a Guinness World Record.

In 1999, Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. 

“Pele actually visited Jamaica in the 70s which was a massive deal for a country that just came off independence,” Perkins said.

In addition to Jamaicans’ admiration for Pele, Perkins noted that Jamaica’s first and only trip to the final stages of a World Cup tournament was spearheaded by a Brazilian coach.

“When you go back to the biggest part of Jamaica’s football history, it’s gonna take you back to 1998 and we actually had a Brazilian coach René Simões,” she said. 

The 1998 Reggae Boyz team, headed by Simões, led Jamaica to become the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the World Cup.

She added that the love for the Brazilian team is fuelled by the similarities in gameplay between both countries.

“Jamaicans, we love the excitement and the flair of football, we’re a very animated people and the Brazilians bring that excitement and that flair,” she said.

“So, I think their energy matches our energy,” she added.

Perkins said all these factors lead Jamaicans to be staunch defenders of the Brazilian team. 

Brazil is the most successful national team in the history of the World Cup, having won five titles, earning second-place, third-place and fourth-place finish twice each. Brazil’s last win at the World Cup games was in 2002. The team has advanced to the round of 16 in the current 2022 staging of the tournament. 

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