Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration…but that just makes it a little more Brazilian, right? Regardless, Brazilian soccer is not a joking matter. In fact, it’s one of the most exciting/electrifying/dangerous experiences you can have in Brazil. In a country where the question after “What’s your name?” is “What’s your team?,” the stakes are high when it comes to this national sport.

We watched a game at Pacaembu Stadium – Corinthians x Ceara. You won’t find many tourists at these games; they’re serious business with die-hard fans that don’t take the sport – or the outcome – lightly. Nevertheless, it’s an amazing Brazilian experience that can’t be found else where. You’d be hard pressed to find another event that breaks down socioeconomic barriers, uniting 30,000+ crazed fans in a common cause. In a country openly divided between the rich and the poor, the power of Brazilian futebol supersedes political and economic disparities, if only for a few hours.