From vibrant festivals to the roaring chants of a crowd, celebrations connect us to our past and to each other. More than just a good time, celebrations reveal the soul of a culture — what a community values, and what makes it come alive.
After capturing the magic of the Venice Carnival, photographer Jerome Teo continues his journey in Brazil, where football pulses through everyday life. Using the OPPO Reno13 Series, Jerome captures the rhythm and raw passion of Rio de Janeiro, exploring the streets and the stadiums where football culture comes alive.
The Beautiful Game is everywhere you look
In Brazil, football is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life passed down through generations. From parents teaching their children to juggle a ball, to entire neighborhoods cheering on local teams, the love for the game is inherited, celebrated, and lived out loud.
It’s no surprise that Brazil is known as País do Futebol—the country of football. With five FIFA World Cup titles and legends like Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Marta, Brazil has long shaped the global identity of the sport. But beyond the trophies and titles, the true soul of Brazilian football isn’t just in its stadiums.
Football is everywhere in Brazil — an accessible game that transcends money or status. Rio’s Aterro do Flamengo park stretches along Guanabara Bay, where the public turfs are often packed with teenagers in fierce matches, children chasing stray balls, and seasoned players having fun.
In the favelas, football carries deeper meaning. Tucked within steep hillsides and winding alleys, makeshift street courts become places of connection and pride. Life in the favelas can be dangerous, and the football pitch is a refuge —a stage for talent to shine. Players spend hours barefoot, perfecting freestyle tricks and street techniques in all kinds of weather. With OPPO’s IP69 Water Resistance, Jerome documented a match in the rain, where puddles reflected the vivid hues of football jerseys and the colorful favela homes. Rain or shine, the Beautiful Game plays on.
On the iconic shores of Ipanema and Copacabana, groups gather to play altinha. In this beloved beach game, players juggle and pass the ball to each other with their feet, thighs, heads, and chests. Unlike traditional football, there are no winners—altinha is all about rhythm, flow, and connection.
Using the OPPO AI Eraser, Jerome captured shots of altinha, removing distractions from the frame while maintaining the scene’s dynamic movements and cinematic sunset hues.
This is why Brazil coined the term Jogo Bonito—the Beautiful Game. It reflects how Brazilians play football, infusing joy and creativity wherever they play. This is football in its purest form—accessible, passionate, and beautifully alive.
Meet Mario: A next-generation footballer chasing his dream
Mario Cesar Conceição Faria Júnior is a talented nineteen-year-old football player, and like many Brazilians, his love for the sport began when his family took him to his first match.
Mario’s dream began in Rio’s neighborhood clubs, becoming a disciplined pursuit despite the challenges.
“I got a spot with the team at Botafogo, but we couldn’t afford the daily travel. So I joined a neighbourhood team and started training very seriously,” explains Mario.
His passion for football is unshakeable. Mario follows a strict diet, and trains daily on the court and in the gym to stay in peak fitness.
Following one of his training sessions, Jerome used the OPPO AI Unblur to capture Mario mid-sprint, restoring sharp detail and preserving the intensity and emotion of each movement.
For Mario, the sacrifices are part of the journey. “The hardest part is the criticism,” he says, “people talk when things don’t go well. But seeing people smile when they watch me play? That’s everything. I play to bring joy, not just to earn.”
He stays focused on his dream, which stretches beyond personal success. “My goal is to play for the Brazilian national team, to buy a house for my parents, and to help other kids achieve their football dreams,” says Mario.
Passion pulses through Brazilian culture
Mario’s story is just one of many examples of how football lives in the hearts of Brazilians. But in Brazil, that passion extends far beyond the pitch.
Like football, Brazilian samba is built on rhythm, improvisation, and heart. In the same way players train for hours at any available beachfront or pitch, dancers in samba schools rehearse with fierce dedication—living their tradition with every step and sway.
Visiting Grêmio Recreativo Estácio de Sá, a local samba school, Jerome used OPPO’s AI Night Portrait to capture vivid low-light shots—preserving the emotion, energy, and detail of each performer.
“The love for football is passed from parent to child. It’s this generational passion that makes the game so deeply loved.”
– Mario Junior, up-and-coming football talent
In Brazil, football and samba aren’t confined to stadiums or stages—they’re everyday celebrations passed down through generations.
Follow along the Culture in a Shot journey to celebrate the universal spirit of culture—joy, resilience, and connection. From the magic of football in Brazil to traditions and festivities yet to come, celebrate each moment and be inspired by the beauty of what brings us together.
