The Origins and Significance of Maracanã Stadium’s Name
Maracanã Stadium, also known as Estádio do Maracanã, is one of the most popular and well-recognized football stadiums outside of Europe, owing to its history, cultural impact, and vast audience capacity. The name “Maracanã” is derived from the Maracanã River, which once flowed near the stadium. In the Tupi-Guarani indigenous language, “Maracanã” refers to a type of parrot found in the region. The stadium’s name thus pays homage to the indigenous heritage of Brazil. However, the official name of the Maracanã Stadium is “Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho,” named in honor of Mário Filho, a Brazilian sports journalist who played a significant role in the stadium’s construction
Evolution of Maracanã Stadium
The stadium was first built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, with construction reportedly commencing in August 1948 and a capacity of nearly 200,000, making it the largest stadium at that time. After renovations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics, which included the installation of a new roofing system, new seating, modernized security systems, and improved accessibility for disabled fans, its audience capacity was reduced to approximately 78,838, still making it the second-largest stadium in South America, losing its first place to Estadio Monumental “U” in Lima, Peru, with a capacity of approximately 80,093. The first official match played in Maracanã was on June 16, 1950.
Maracanã: Witness to Football’s Greatest Moments
Maracanã witnessed some of the biggest events in football and sports history. The infamous 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay was held in this historic stadium, where Brazil was defeated by Uruguay 2-1, making it one of the most historic football matches of the century. It was reported that approximately 173,850 spectators attended the match, although some reports suggest that there were more than 200,000 fans in the stadium that day, as many football fans entered without tickets to watch the match. The 2014 FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Argentina was also played in Maracanã, which saw Philipp Lahm’s team win in extra time, breaking the hearts of millions, if not billions, of Argentina and Messi fans.
Maracanã: A Stage for Legends
Two football greats and best friends, Neymar and Messi, won their first international trophies in Maracanã, in the 2013 Confederations Cup against Spain and the 2021 Copa America against Brazil, respectively. Brazilian legend and football icon Pelé played his first international football match in a friendly against their biggest rival, Argentina, on July 7, 1957, at the age of only sixteen. Pelé also scored his 1000th goal here and played his final game in the Brazilian jersey in this stadium on July 18, 1971, against Yugoslavia, scoring his last goal in that famous yellow jersey.
Maracanã: A Venue of Global Significance – From Intercontinental Cup History to Olympic Glory
In December 1989, Maracanã hosted the Intercontinental Cup final between Nacional of Uruguay and Milan of Italy. This match marked the end of a remarkable era in international club football, as it was the last edition of the Intercontinental Cup before it was replaced by the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000. Both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Olympics were held in Maracanã, along with the finals matches for both men and women. Maracanã also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2007 Pan American Games. The stadium is home to two of the most prestigious teams in Brazil, Flamengo and Fluminense, while teams like Botafogo and Vasco da Gama also use the stadium for high-profile matches.
Tragedy at Maracanã: Remembering the 1992 Stadium Disaster
Despite its exciting and prosperous history, Maracanã saw its darkest hours on July 18, 1992, during a match between São Paulo and Fluminense, where reportedly three people died and many were injured, in a tragic event known as the “Maracanã Stadium Disaster.” The incident occurred when a section of the stadium’s upper tier collapsed, causing panic and chaos among spectators. The collapse was reportedly triggered by overcrowding and structural weaknesses in the stadium. As fans rushed to evacuate the area, the ensuing stampede led to numerous casualties.
Some fun facts related to Maracanã
In 2021, Rio de Janeiro’s state legislature voted to change the name of the stadium to honor Pelé, but the vote was later vetoed. Maracanã was one of the first stadiums in the world, reportedly in the early 1950s, to be equipped with floodlights for night matches. This innovation allowed for games to be played after sunset, expanding the possibilities for scheduling matches and accommodating fans’ preferences.