The yellow jersey of the Brazilian national soccer team holds immense symbolic importance, representing a sense of belonging and national pride.
The political appropriation of the yellow jersey by far-right supporters has caused many on the left to distance themselves from it, questioning its true meaning.
Deep dives
The Symbolic Power of the Yellow Jersey
The yellow jersey of the Brazilian national soccer team holds immense symbolic importance for the country. In Brazil, soccer is deeply ingrained in the culture, and the yellow jersey represents a sense of belonging and national pride. It is seen as a unifying symbol that transcends social and economic barriers. The jersey is vibrant and joyful, capturing the spirit of Brazil. However, recent events have tarnished the reputation of the jersey. Riots by far-right supporters wearing the yellow jerseys during political protests have led to associations between the jersey and extremism. This has caused many soccer fans, especially those on the left, to distance themselves from the jersey and question its true meaning.
The Origins of the Yellow Jersey
The yellow jersey of the Brazilian national soccer team has not always been the iconic symbol it is today. In the 1950 World Cup, Brazil played in plain white shirts. However, a devastating loss in the final match led to a reevaluation of the uniform. In 1953, a competition was held to design a new uniform that incorporated the colors of the Brazilian flag: green, blue, white, and yellow. A young illustrator named Aldir Garcia Schle won the competition with his design, which featured yellow shirts with green trim. This new uniform became a turning point in the team's history, marking the beginning of Brazil's renowned success in international soccer.
The Political Appropriation of the Yellow Jersey
Over time, the yellow jersey of the Brazilian national soccer team has been politically appropriated by different groups. During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right politician often compared to Donald Trump, supporters of his ideology began associating themselves with the jersey, using it as a symbol of their nationalistic views. This association has caused many on the left to distance themselves from the jersey, viewing it as a representation of the far-right. The jersey's prominence in political events and protests has blurred its original meaning as a unifying symbol of Brazilian soccer.
Uncertain Future: The Fate of the Yellow Jersey
The recent political unrest and associations with the yellow jersey have raised questions about its future. There are rumors that the Brazilian football confederation and Nike, the jersey's producer, may consider changing the jersey's color to distance it from its controversial associations. A return to Brazil's alternate blue kit or a shift to a different color altogether has been suggested. However, changing the jersey could be seen as capitulating to the far-right, leaving the original meaning of the jersey shattered. The outcome remains uncertain, but the once-unifying yellow jersey now finds itself at a crossroads.
Back in 2017 we ran an episode about the history of Brazil's iconic, yellow national soccer jersey. We were reminded of that story during the recent world cup, and then again on January 8th as a mob of right wing rioters attacked the Brazilian capital, many of them wearing those iconic yellow shirts. Needless to say the story of the yellow jersey has taken some real twists and turns in recent years, so today we’re going to rerun the original story about the jersey’s origins, and then producer Emmett Fitzgerald is going to update us on everything that has happened since.