The construction of football experiences in Limoeiro do Norte-CE

trajectories, institutions and professionalism (1953-1996)

Abstract

Inserting football as a central research theme, our main objective is to understand how the practice of the sport was developed in Limoeiro do Norte, an interior city in the State of Ceará, insofar as different experiences of "play" were built. For this, we will use as main source the oral testimony of two former players, an amateur and a professional. Understanding football as an interdisciplinary object, we analyze the historical, social and cultural trajectory of the game in Brazil in the light of historiographical, anthropological and sociological productions. In addition, we problematize the notion of football as a mere reflection of society or as a “neutral” environment that “is not discussed”, noting that it encompasses a series of unique experiences of gender, class and race.