INTERVIEW WITH WALDEMIR ALBUQUERQUE
Waldemir is a judge who lives in Recife, Brazil. He is 41 years old and has lived in Recife his entire life. His interview offers the unique perspective of a boy who grew up fascinated by soccer in one of Brazil's main cities, always devoted to his local soccer team. He can be compared to the average Brazilian citizen (if male)
How did soccer impact your childhood? Were your friends and family interested in the sport?
When I was a child, my dream was to become a soccer player. My father (who is also really passionate about soccer) used to take me to soccer games and my friends and I used to always play soccer in and whenever we could. I no longer play soccer, but I still attentively watch the national championships and the championships my team is in.
What is your soccer team?
In Brazil, aside from having our famous national soccer team, we have a certain number of soccer teams per state which compete in state championships and in country-wide championships. My team is Sport Club do Recife, one of the three major teams of my state (Pernambuco).
Would you say most Brazilians are highly involved with soccer in their lives (all ages?) If so, do you think there is greater involvement in Brazil than in other countries?
Soccer is Brazil's highest source of entertainment, spanning across people of different ages. Yes, I do believe there is greater involvement with soccer here than abroad.
What is your opinion about Brazil being known worldwide as "the country of soccer"?
I believe Brazil will always be known in this way since it is the country that has won the greatest number of World Cups (five), or, it will be referred to in this way until some other country outnumbers us. Soccer is so important in Brazil that it is almost always a frequent topic in personal conversations and in the news.
How did soccer impact your childhood? Were your friends and family interested in the sport?
When I was a child, my dream was to become a soccer player. My father (who is also really passionate about soccer) used to take me to soccer games and my friends and I used to always play soccer in and whenever we could. I no longer play soccer, but I still attentively watch the national championships and the championships my team is in.
What is your soccer team?
In Brazil, aside from having our famous national soccer team, we have a certain number of soccer teams per state which compete in state championships and in country-wide championships. My team is Sport Club do Recife, one of the three major teams of my state (Pernambuco).
Would you say most Brazilians are highly involved with soccer in their lives (all ages?) If so, do you think there is greater involvement in Brazil than in other countries?
Soccer is Brazil's highest source of entertainment, spanning across people of different ages. Yes, I do believe there is greater involvement with soccer here than abroad.
What is your opinion about Brazil being known worldwide as "the country of soccer"?
I believe Brazil will always be known in this way since it is the country that has won the greatest number of World Cups (five), or, it will be referred to in this way until some other country outnumbers us. Soccer is so important in Brazil that it is almost always a frequent topic in personal conversations and in the news.