Maracanã Opens

OTD E0228 — 16 Jun 1950: Maracanã opens in Rio de Janeiro, eight days before the 1950 World Cup. This episode traces Brazil’s post-war World Cup, the political fight to build the world’s largest stadium, Mário Filho, the old Derby Club site, the rushed construction, Didi’s first goal, the 1950 crowds, the Maracanazo, Pelé’s 1,000th goal, Fla-Flu, 2014, 2016, decay, rebirth, and why Maracanã still carries perhaps football’s deepest stadium aura.Ideas: [email protected]