Nature unleashed its worst fury on Brazil´s Rio Grande do Sul state in early May, 2024. Now, the overflowing Guaíba River has forced 581,000 residents from their homes, with over 2.3 million badly affected in 496 southern municipalities. Flash floods have left 169 dead and 56 still missing in their massive wake as hundreds of towns remain underwater, according to the Bernama-Xinhua News Agency. Brazil´s soccer community united on Sunday, May 26, in Rio´s fabled Maracanã Stadium, putting on an exhibition to drum up donations and alleviate some of the desperate suffering in the south.
Rio Grande do Sul Report: Grêmio´s Stadium Covered in Mud
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One of Brazil´s most famous footballing sons, Ronaldinho Gaúcho (´Southern Man´ in English), tried to maintain his normal broad smile, even though the Grêmio stadium in the southern city of Porto Alegre where he played his first pro football was buried under meters of mud. Ronaldinho captained the União (Union) team in Rio as they faced off against the Esperança (Hope) team led by another Brazilian World Cup superstar, Cafu, who captained the Samba Boys in three straight World Cups.
Numerous ex-players, as well as a sprinkling of pop stars, tried to summon their magic with the ball in front of adoring thousands, if only to make spectators briefly forget the widespread tragedy in the south. ´The Emperor´ Adriano, Bebeto from the ´94 dream team that took home the Cup after a 24-year hiatus, Djalminha, Argentine D´Alessandro who played for southern side Internacional, ´Maestro´ Júnior, former Flamengo free-kick expert Petkovic, Nenê, and current commentator Roger, all got in on the act.
Singer Ludmilla looped in the first goal for União after some nifty interplay with female Brazilian international Tamires. The pop icon proved that even entertainers in Brazil are somehow connected with ´o jogo bonito´ (the beautiful game). She said she once dreamed of playing pro soccer before becoming one of the country´s most popular crooners, most famous for her inimitable ´Din, Din, Din.´ As with most friendly games featuring aging stars, the slow-speed action ended in a satisfying 5-5 tie.
Is Brazil Still Truly Blessed by Nature?
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Ironically, Brazilians have long boasted that their verdant nation is blessed in particular by God and nature. South America´s largest territory has long been immune to the trauma of awful earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons, and killer tsunamis. But now climate change has thrown a real wrench into the works. Sadly, the SOS Rio Grande do Sul donation drive may have to extend to other sensitive regions in the country in the near future.
In this case, such extreme weather was triggered by a unique mix of hotter than normal temperatures, along with high humidity and strong winds. Climate expert Francisco Eliseu Aquino told the AFP news agency that Rio Grande do Sul has always served as a meeting point between tropical and polar air masses, but “these interactions intensified with climate change.” Deforestation has also taken a heavy toll, depriving the land of its capacity to limit flooding.
Constant rain caused the river to reach a record high level of 5.33 meters (17.4 feet), local officials said. The previous record was back in 1941 when the water stood at 4.76 meters (with three meters representing flood level). The Brazilian Airlines Association announced that the Porto Alegre airport would remain shut at least until the end of this month after the Guaíba River blasted over its banks, totally flooding the runway and vital buildings. The southern airport allows strategic access to key agricultural areas in the country´s south.
Cafu The Captain Shows the Strength We All Need Now
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Of course, people were partly to blame for the tragedy after building and living in areas prone to flooding while not updating old containment dykes and flood barriers. “The planet is to blame for the flood. But the state and city administrators are to blame for the tragedy,” exclaimed Professor Roberto Reis of the Ecology and Evolution of Biodiversity program at Pontifical Catholic University (PUC-RS) in Rio Grande do Sul.
Moreover, this May´s mega-flood occurred not long after another large flooding disaster last September. That should have been warning enough, claimed Professor Reis. Now, the forlorn cities and towns in Rio Grande do Sul wade through the murky waters as the cold of winter descends on the south.
“It’s moving to see all these people coming together to help my people,” said Ronaldinho, the midfield genius who helped bring Brazil to 2002 World Cup glory. “After this immeasurable tragedy, we see the Brazilian people uniting again,” Júnior added.
Perhaps the uplifting story of Cafu, who became one of the greatest captains in Brazilian soccer history, can show those stricken by the fatal floods in Rio Grande do Sul some way forward. Besides serving as the winning captain in the 2002 Cup, Cafu is most renowned for his resilience. Initially, he was roundly rejected by five big Brazilian clubs and battled through innumerable ´peneiras´ (literally ´filters´ or trials) as a player before finally starring for São Paulo F.C. and Brazil.
“We’ve raised the trophy as world champions; now let’s raise the cup of solidarity,” exclaimed Cafu to Globo Esporte.
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Veteran soccer writer Will Beebe currently lives in São Paulo, Brazil, and has watched the flooding tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul unfold since the beginning of May. If you´d like to help the victims, take a look at https://www.paraquemdoar.com.br | Or connect with Will on X: @WABeebe11
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