Though this story is based on real events, its characters are fictionalized
and not intended to resemble or discredit any actual persons.
Hey, Sheila, how are you? I'm not well. I'm exhausted. I'm stressed...
Telling Havelange's story is turning out to be more demanding than I thought.
You understand? Yes, that's right. So, I need a raise.
A salary increase, okay?
I don't know. That's your job. It's not my problem.
You talk to whoever you need to talk to, okay?
BERLIN 1 MINUTE TO THE FIFA ELECTION
Motherfucker.
Okay. So, while we fix this situation,
I'm going to tell you how the hell we got here!
The retirement of the best player in the world was a problem for João.
But he quickly knew how to use it in his favor.
The excursion across Africa, of course, was followed by more trips.
Castor, as usual, was in trouble with the law.
For Havelange, another game is also at stake, his marriage.
And make no mistake, he was going to need it.
EL PRESIDENTE: CORRUPTION GAME
BERLIN 25 DAYS UNTIL FIFA'S ELECTION
At the height of the Cold War, João arrived at a wall-divided Berlin.
On one side, there was communist Berlin. On the other, West Berlin,
where they sell Coca-Cola, and the World Cup was about to take place.
João had no margin for error.
He'd gained many votes in Africa, but was still short.
He also wasn't willing to come back defeated,
and have to keep sucking the dicks of Brazil's military.
ERNESTO GEISEL - MASS MURDERER EXECUTED DISSIDENT ACTIVISTS
So he had no choice but to win...
... the FIFA's elections.
We're talking about the Great Fatherland. You know what I mean?
Of having all of Latin America, united.
I promise you an unforgettable World Cup in Argentina.
ALDO PORRÚA ARGENTINIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
You can't imagine how excited General Perón is about this World Cup.
I'll think about it. But I probably won't decide my vote until the last second.
Excuse me.
A tough task for João, trying to get an Argentine to commit to something.
Anyway, back to the vote count.
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 29 - UNDECIDED: 4
That's how things stand.
KITANA OÉ JAPANESE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
MICHAEL LAND - AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION - FAMILY MAN
JACQUES ASHANTI HAITIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION
LARISSA LAWYER AND FEMINIST
The lawyer friend asked questions Isabel had no answers for. What a mess.
For now, let's go back to Germany,
so I can introduce you to some important people.
HORST, LENA AND ADI DASSLER ADIDAS - FOUNDER AND HEIRS
Give a warm welcome to the Netherland's team!
With Pelé's retirement, there was a new, "best football player in the world."
JOHAN CRUYFF - STAR OF NETHERLAND'S TEAM PUMA'S NEW GLOBAL FACE
And their best player Johan Cruyff!
...Adidas hadn't succeeded in signing him to wear their cleats.
And they did everything they could to hide it.
Where would FIFA be without the honorable Dassler family?
For now, let's forget the Puma-Adidas war, and focus on what's really important...
We're here to talk about an intense election.
After his campaign in Africa, Havelange learned that
with Pelé by his side, even in retirement, he was always the center of attention.
Here with me we have, "King Pelé,"
The gauntlet was thrown. For the first time ever,
the Europeans were afraid of the rest of the world.
On the one hand, we have the red ballot, which represents the English colonialist
who's been running FIFA for 15 years.
On the other, we have the green ballot, which represents this quaint Brazilian
who wants to turn football into an empire.
22 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
João was clearly focused on the election. But, with Pelé starting his acting career,
Brazil started this Cup on the wrong foot.
16 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
Remember how I promised to tell you about the joys of the Dassler family squabble?
ARMIN DASSLER PUMA'S HEIR - ADI'S NEPHEW
Good. Let's get back to the story of Adidas and Puma.
Let me introduce Adi and Rudolf Dassler.
Who, following their family tradition, started their own sports shoe company,
even though they always had disagreements.
They got their big break when they signed
Jesse Owens to their brand for the 1936 Olympics.
Those in which my dear João also competed in.
When World War II began, Rudolf left to fight with the Nazis,
while Adi kept working and helping Jews. At least that's what he claims.
The thing is, they hated each other, since always and for forever.
After the war, they never worked together again.
Adi founded Adidas, and Rudolf, Puma. And they each had their heirs.
Adi had Horst and Lena.
Rudolf had Armin.
And the rivalry was inherited as well, obviously.
14 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 30 - UNDECIDED: 3
He's worried about the votes, the national team, and his family.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, Isabel is about to, once again, feel the joy in doing things
she had forgotten she liked.
AMORA DIAMANTE ACTRESS - FUTURE CONGRESSWOMAN
RALPH LIVINGSTON SWISS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, KÄSER'S COUSIN
Right now, the election has a clear loser. But, as we know, João doesn't care
about the ideologies of any vote.
Football and politics have always gone hand in hand.
As for me, I might quit this project if Sheila doesn't get me that raise.
Let me check on that...
Well... I can wait a bit longer.
Havelange was in his element. And, like a good shark,
he could smell blood in the water.
Without anyone knowing,
João took a step towards flipping the German vote...
Simply by endorsing China's incorporation to FIFA.
ROUS: 33 - JOÃO: 31 - UNDECIDED: 3
You tell him! That's how I like my women, with spunk!
Come on, Castor! You gotta get this casino legalized as soon as possible.
6 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 30 - UNDECIDED: 3
UNDECIDED: 3 VOTES FOR ROUS: 34
VOTES FROM CAF ON HOLD: 16 VOTE COUNT FOR JOÃO: 14
What do you want me to tell you? In the end, it's always about money.
Get it? Like my raise, João's new problem, and Isabel.
Who, of course, got addicted to gambling, and is now having serious money issues.
Barbosa Ltd.
Who's this?
You shouldn't marry politicians.
Let me warn you, if you're not careful with that bastard Juárez,
you'll wake up in the devil's bed.
Hello, Sheila. How are you?
Listen, have these guys called you with a counteroffer yet?
Me neither.
I don't know if it's a roaming issue and I don't have coverage in Germany...
AUGUSTO RAÚL JUÁREZ HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE - 1978 WORLD CUP
The political situation in my country is a bit unstable. But I'm certain
that we need to make a big World Cup. Something huge, unforgettable.
-And I'll make sure that's how it happens. -I agree with you. This FIFA thinks small.
-We have to go further. -If you and I become friends,
this FIFA won't exist for very long. Listen, I'll vote for you now.
And you'll owe me one. Is that clear?
It's clear.
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 31 - UNDECIDED: 2
3 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 32 - UNDECIDED: 1
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 33 - UNDECIDED: 0
14 HOURS UNTIL THE ELECTION
FIFA'S ELECTION DAY
Shit, I'm late to the vote!
I told you, the trick is to stand firm. Sheila? Yes?
What do you mean, "No"? Not even a counteroffer?
What's going to happen? This fight will be settled by love.
Lots and lots of love.