Au Brésil, talons aiguilles et crampons se disputent les terrains de foot La plus grande compétition de football amateur associée à un concours de beauté se déroule chaque année à Manaus, au cœur de l’Amazonie. « Le Peladão, c’est un cri de liberté, un mélange de toutes les classes sociales. C’est plus qu’un simple jeu, c’est toute la ville qui s’engage » explique Arnaldo Santos, le président de la plus grande compétition de football amateur au monde. Le Peladão vient du mot « nu ». Ici les matchs se disputent souvent pieds nus, parfois en baskets. Les crampons sont réservés au plus beau terrain de la ville lors de la finale. Pendant six mois, les équipes jouent sur des terrains de sable, de terre mais rarement de pelouse. C’est le futebal de la rue avec ses propres règles (pas de hors jeu et des touches qui se font avec le pied). Depuis la fin de septembre dernier, 554 clubs se sont affrontés. Pour participer, chaque équipe doit présenter une miss. Car, parallèlement au championnat de foot se déroule un concours de beauté. La finaliste gagne une voiture avec « zéro kilomètre » et les joueurs 15 000 reais (5 000 euros). Pour beaucoup, le Peladão incarne l’espoir d’accéder à une vie meilleure. Un tremplin. Comme pour Priscilla Meirelles, ancienne Reine du Peladão aujourd’hui Miss Terre 2004. Depuis trente ans, la ville est suspendue aux résultats des matchs qu’elle suit dans la presse locale, A Critica. Les matchs y sont décortiqués avec, à chaque fois, une ou deux photos des miss en bikini portant le maillot de leur club appelé Real Madrid, Arsenal ou Juventus… Un texte complet est disponible rédigé par Bérénice Debras.
A practice game at Parikatuba. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061152 © Sophie Brändström
After having been dropped off in the Vivaldo Lima stadium by helicopter, the queens make a tour in the stadium. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0060983 © Sophie Brändström
Practice game at Parikatuba. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061124 © Sophie Brändström
Some of the players of the Parikatuba team train near the Amazon river with some of the kids from the Parikatuba village. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0060947 © Sophie Brändström
The 3B shirts dry outside the 3B company. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061141 © Sophie Brändström
A player from the Parikatuba team at school in his village by the Amazon river. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061155 © Sophie Brändström
While the football games are played in the fields the girls compete in the SESC auditorium. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061048 © Sophie Brändström
The PEC team beauty queen is getting ready. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061144 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. PEC jr team pauses with their beauty queen, Ana Lourdes Ribeiro
BRS0061037 © Sophie Brändström
3B players have lunch at the 3B canteen. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061098 © Sophie Brändström
The players from the 3B team at work at the 3B company. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061093 © Sophie Brändström
PEC players after a game. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061151 © Sophie Brändström
A PEC player is hurt during the game. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061137 © Sophie Brändström
While the games are being played in the field, the girls have their beauty contest in the SESC auditorium. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061135 © Sophie Brändström
Spectators on the Sul America field. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061088 © Sophie Brändström
Kaiser team before the beginning of the game on Sul America field. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061085 © Sophie Brändström
A referee checks the Identity of the players before a game. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061084 © Sophie Brändström
The beauty queens are getting ready for a photoshoot at the Acritica newspaper. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061069 © Sophie Brändström
Mother and daughter at a photo shoot at the A.Critaica newspaper. The Peladão, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061076 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. The princess (beauty queen second in place) Layana is also the Samba school beauty queen of her neigerhood.
BRS0061039 © Sophie Brändström
Luciano with his mother and his son. He is a 3B player and used to be a professional player for the Rio Negro team. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061145 © Sophie Brändström
Last year’s beauty queen, Saara and her mother. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061117 © Sophie Brändström
Antonio Campus, ex-professional player and ex-president for the Unidade de Gloria, poses with his family and the cup the team won in 1989. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061004 © Sophie Brändström
3B goal keeper kisses his daughter. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061106 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. PEC players walk through their neighborhood to the field.
BRS0061032 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. A game is played at a field.
BRS0061148 © Sophie Brändström
This year’s beauty queen, Gabrielle, is getting ready for the final. Her sister is helping her. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061006 © Sophie Brändström
For 5 months, the teams will play in the Peladao competition. Most of the fields are made of sand. There are only two made of grass. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061001 © Sophie Brändström
The players of the Parikatuba team sing and dance while crossing the Amazon river to play one of their games. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061000 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. Some of the JAP players train while the neighborhood kids are watching
BRS0060998 © Sophie Brändström
Some of the residents of the Gloria neighborhood watch a practice game before a Peladao game. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0060995 © Sophie Brändström
The Alternativa team practices near the Rio Negro. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0060992 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. Some of the players from the Alternativa team concentrate before the final.
BRS0060986 © Sophie Brändström
Last year’s queen, Saara, this year’s queen, Gabrielle, and this year’s princess, Layana, are being dropped off by helicopter in the Vivaldo Lima stadium, accompanied by music from the motion picture Star Wars. They have come to watch this year's final. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061049 © Sophie Brändström
The beauty queen Gabrielle and the princess Layana encourage the players from the Alternativa team. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061015 © Sophie Brändström
Alternativa supporters during the final of the Peladao. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061033 © Sophie Brändström
The Alternativa team pray during the penalty. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061022 © Sophie Brändström
The Alternativa team has won the Peladao. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061030 © Sophie Brändström
The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest. Victory is beeing celebrated at the Lopez Serruda home after the final. The coach’s father congratulates his son.
BRS0061060 © Sophie Brändström
San Jorge neighborhood celebrate the victory of Alternativa. The Peladao, the world's largest amateur football tournament takes place every year in the city of Manaus, in Brazil. This year, 550 teams took part, every team has a beauty queen who participates at the same time in the beauty queen contest.
BRS0061063 © Sophie Brändström