The Last Save of Moacyr Barbosa - Thematic Treatment

Thematic Treatment

The book is divided into five themes:

• Early playing career at Vasco de Gama and emergence from the youth development as one of the bright stars for national selection
• Description of the key 1950 game that sealed Barbosa's reputation
• Fall-out from the game, including significance of the contest in popular Brazilian football culture
• Role of the media in creating sports idols, which is also related to their fall. Calls into question media objectivity
• The personal toll the incident took on Barbosa including ostracism and widespread hostility. A religious metaphor is explored- the role of the scapegoat that must atone for sin. The dark skin of Barbosa reinforces this metaphor the author suggests.