© Marcia Moreira

Alex Bellos is a reporter for the Observer and the Guardian in Rio de Janeiro.

Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life captures the romance and the passion of Brazil. 'Football is how the world sees Brazil and how Brazilians see themselves.' The art, the players, the myths, the legends, the teams, the history, the supporters, the heartbreaks — the book traces the past and the present of a game which symbolises the racial harmony, flamboyance, youth, innovation and skill of Latin America's largest country. It was shortlisted for the WH Smith Sports Book of the Year and has been nominated for the 2004 British Book Awards.