As arguably the most popular cultural institution in both Argentina and Brazil, men’s soccer has historically brought together millions, often creating a common social bond in diversely populated regions. Men’s soccer has also played a key role not only in imagining national and social identity but also in reaffirming conventional notions of gender.
In Fulboy Patrick T. Ridge argues that soccer and associated cultural production in Argentina and Brazil have historically embedded masculinist ideology. As a result, not only does the overwhelming attention given to men’s soccer in Argentine and Brazilian society reaffirm masculinist power by showcasing male athletic prowess, but related venues continue to function as homosocial spaces that facilitate performances of cisheterosexual masculinity. Likewise, cultural depictions of soccer often incorporate discourses of masculinist nationalism, sexism, homophobia, and cisheteronormativity. Fulboy goes beyond sports journalism and mainstream media to analyze the regional influence of soccer-themed literature, film, television, photography, comics, and graphic novels in upholding cisheteropatriarchy. As a counterpoint, Ridge offers new insight into how in recent years feminist and queer perspectives have helped to reimagine the game and society on a more level playing field.