Mané Garrincha as a Symbol of the Brazilian National Identity Tiago Lisboa Bartholo ∗ Antonio Jorge Gonçalves Soares ∗∗ Abstract: The objective of the article is to analyze Garrincha's biography, a famous player, as an expression of an individual trajectory that embodies meanings about the Brazilian soccer and on “Brazilian people”. The empirical material is Ruy Castro’s book (1995) "Estrela solitária: Um brasileiro chamado Garrincha". The lines written by the author build the idea that Garrincha is gifted. His talent is given as innate and doesn't need to be improved. The indigenous ancestors are key for the author to interpret the exuberance and simplicity of his game, as its contrary behavior to the social norms and the discipline in the soccer fields. Keywords: Soccer. National Identity. Garrincha. Biography. 1 INTRODUCTION The identity discourse on Brazilian soccer bases its singularity by affirming that it has a joyful and beautiful style of playing. The art of dribbling, with the “sway of capoeira” and with the rhythm of samba would be the main marks of recognition. The affirmation of this style is being constructed in a symbolic struggle in relation to “other styles” since the second decade of the 20 th century (SOARES; LOVISOLO, 2003). The Brazilian style (beautiful game) is narrated as a unique way of using the body, a corporal technique that can be interpreted as culturally socialized (MAUSS, 1974) or as a product of racial miscegenation in the version of the fable of the three races in which the cultural blends with biological expression. In other terms, cultural expression would be strongly determined by the biological. The racialist interpretation, although not always explicit, is the dominant narration on the style of play and music (specifically samba) in Brazil. However, we must point out that both construction and maintenance of the identity narrations have settled in the collective memory. Construction of the Brazilian style spread throughout the world and its beauty and enchantment are praised by journalists and fans from other countries where soccer is the dominant sport. A cultural sports capital was created, so to speak, around ∗ Masters in Physical Education from Universidade Gama Filho. Lecturer of Colégio de Aplicação of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Scholarship from CNPq. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Email: tbartholo81@hotmail.com. ∗∗ Doctor in Physical Education from Universidade Gama Filho. Currently lecturer of the Post-Graduation Program in Physical Education of Universidade Gama Filho and lecturer of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Scholarship from CNPq/ PROTEORIA. Email: antoniojsoares@pq.cnpq.br