Contributor(s): | Governments worldwide invest heavily to project a positive image on the global stage, spending billions to host events like the #WorldCup or #Olympics in hopes of building prestige and soft power.

What happens when the unity and success they aim to showcase clash with the real struggles of their people? What happens when citizens flood the streets to challenge this glossy narrative and offer a different vision of national identity? #Brazil’s protests before the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics may provide clues to these questions.

Dr César Jiménez-Martínez is Assistant Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE: https://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/people/academic-staff/cesar-jimenez-martinez

#Football #Brasil