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!
That's right. I'm here to announce my resignation
from the Brazilian national team. That's my final word.
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.
Your career is not over, Edson.
And now you have the chance to support a good cause like mine.
I need you with me in Germany.
Fine, Havelange. But it's not up to me. You gotta talk to my agent.
Everything will be all right.
The excursion across Africa, of course, was followed by more trips.
My love, my flight was delayed.
It's one thing to do it to me, but you are hurting Vitória.
-You nearly missed her wedding. -Calm down.
Castor, as usual, was in trouble with the law.
I can't help you this time, Castor.
Your Honor, this is serious business. We're talking about the FIFA elections.
You cannot leave the country.
Since you can't go, take good care of CBD for me.
And don't screw up.
Don't worry, Marie. I'm your soldier.
For Havelange, another game is also at stake, his marriage.
Honey, I'm aware of the situation, okay? I know I let you down.
I wouldn't be here without you. I need you by my side.
Don't leave me now. I'm on the home stretch.
Only 20 more days, and then nothing will ever keep us apart.
My love, which snow globe is missing from your collection?
Is it Germany or Spain?
-Have a good trip. And good luck! -Of course.
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...
Excuse me.
... the FIFA's elections.
We're talking about the Great Fatherland. You know what I mean?
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.
Tessema!
My friend, Havelange.
I'm here for you, whatever you need. My reputation is also at stake.
Everything we've done won't be in vain.
We just need to convince four undecideds and flip one Rous voter
to take him down to win this election.
That's one of them.
KITANA OÉ JAPANESE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
We must sell this guy, somehow, a position of football in his country.
-And we can do it, man! -And is there anybody else, João?
MICHAEL LAND - AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION - FAMILY MAN
The Australians, for example, love Pelé. But we cannot forget
-their country is still a British Colony. -Yeah, that's right.
-Ashanti! -Yeah! Ashanti, Haitian.
His only concern is restoring the stadiums that were destroyed by a hurricane.
JACQUES ASHANTI HAITIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION
Havelange!
Everything set for your victory?
-We're behind by only five votes. -I mean in the World Cup, Havelange.
-Focus on the World Cup! -Certainly, you can rest assured,
Teixeira here and I are all over it, isn't that right?
Do you think you're here on vacation? Keep your eyes on the team, got it?
Okay.
-Go. -Now?
Yes, now. Go!
When I was a child, I loved to play cards with my dad.
He taught me poker.
Listen, I was taking a look at your succession of assets...
LARISSA LAWYER AND FEMINIST
Did your father ever mention anything about a company named Barbosa LTD?
That's the only asset in his name. There's no office address, nothing.
Look, he wasn't right in the head anymore.
If he had anything of value, he would have gambled it.
But he did mention something weird before he died.
I think it's worth investigating.
-Would you like to dance? -Excuse me.
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.
Don't genuflect on any of the athletes. And, Lena, whenever you get
one of your brilliant ideas, tell your brother, so he can bring it on.
No one came here to listen to a woman. Just smile. And fix your hair!
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!
However...
Follow me.
...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.
Pelé does miss his football jersey, Havelange.
I thought it'd get easier over time, but…
Edson, your new game has just started. I promise.
I just need you to lend me a hand first.
After his campaign in Africa, Havelange learned that
with Pelé by his side, even in retirement, he was always the center of attention.
we'll have a real FIFA election between two different candidates,
with two different visions for football.
Here with me we have, "King Pelé,"
And my dear friend Tessema. Please.
And we don't believe we can speak about FIFA as a family...
Unless it truly represents us all.
And all together here, I believe...
All the people here have the power to...
To change FIFA with our votes! Democratically!
And democratically, as I was say--
Motherfuckers!
You have to know how to move in order to win an election.
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.
BRAZIL: 0 - YUGOSLAVIA: 0
That's it, my friends. The first match of the 1974 World Cup,
and Brazil's team leaves with a tie.
This tie has a culprit. Pelé, that bastard.
And it's your fault too, Havelange. After you took him to Africa,
he was never the same.
Listen carefully.
Winning is a matter of life and death, do you understand?
That is why we're here, right? To win.
-And we have a great chance... -Come on, Havelange. Don't give me that.
We don't believe in chances. Here. Take it.
There is enough here to buy us all the goals our people need.
But goals aren't for sale…
Isabel, what took you so long? I kept getting a busy signal.
I took the phone off the hook.
-People didn't stop calling. -All right. It's all right.
I feel better knowing you're safe.
-I'll call you in a bit, okay? -Okay.
Love you.
-Castor. -Bangu is more organized
than the mess we have here.
Keep your eyes on Vitória and Isabel. The military is closing in.
-What do you mean? -You need to protect them.
Stay close, please!
That's all I needed right now. Castor de Andrade monitoring me.
-Pull over. -We're blocks away.
I'll get off here.
Okay.
What brings you here, Isabel?
I don't know what's going on, you know. I can't stand my house, my husband,
my daughter. I can't even attend church. I don't know what's happening to me.
Thank you very much. I'll call you if I need anything.
16 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
Thank you, Mr. Kitana, for dropping by.
You know how important federations like yours are to FIFA.
I want my country to host the next World Cup.
We have large companies willing to invest fortunes--
-That would be embarrassing. -You have your priorities. I have mine.
This is unheard of. What is this asshole doing?
My logo has three stripes, he pulled one off!
-Get him out of the match! Do something! -Calm down, Papa.
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.
Gentlemen, is everything all right?
No, it's not. Do you see what's happening?
-How can you let this happen? -What do you mean?
Cruyff ripped a stripe off of his shirt. And his shorts too.
He's damaging my brand. I demand an exemplary punishment for him!
-Now don't get angry. -You think as you see fit.
Just remember that Adidas is FIFA's main sponsor.
Exactly.
I'm sorry.
They don't have a vision for business. You're not being valued as you should be.
João, I was talking to Kitana, and he's not fully on board with Rous.
He asked to let Japan host the 1978 Cup, and Rous refused. Now, that's crazy.
But this guy is totally obsessed with it.
You know the best tip I got when Vitória was a baby?
-What was it? -Never say no.
Say, "later," "in a while," "another time." Get it?
Get me a meeting with Kitana. I might know how to flip him.
Another beer, please.
I think I know you.
I hope you're not resentful.
-What do you want? -Nice to see you, João.
I'm busy now.
My brother said this is his last favor, okay?
14 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
Tell this moron to substitute the players I asked.
Ask him if he needs me as his striker too.
-Are you going to play, sir? -What?
-Are you going to play? -What are you, stupid? Go!
I want the 1978 World Cup.
I think that's not a good thing for you. Organizing a World Cup
without a national team ready would be a wasted opportunity.
If your federation starts working now,
you might have a competitive team in a couple of decades.
Only then it would be worthwhile to invest in a World Cup.
But, what we could do now,
is to start building the Japanese people's enthusiasm for football.
In my FIFA, I will promote a Youth World Championship.
We could do one in Japan. In 1979.
Lower investment, same exposure. The world's eyes turned to Japan.
Football will start to grow, Mr. Kitana.
And who knows, you might host in...
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 30 - UNDECIDED: 3
What do you mean, "not home"? Not even Vitória?
Tell her to call me, and to stay home, please.
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.
I don't know what Jean-Marie and you are thinking.
-Why would I need a bodyguard? -It's no big deal, just a precaution.
-Thank you, Victor. -No problem.
Where are you taking me?
Please.
-Nice hand! -Castor?
Hey! How are you?
Hi, are you Isabel? My name's Amora. Nice to meet you.
AMORA DIAMANTE ACTRESS - FUTURE CONGRESSWOMAN
Do you play poker?
It's been a while since I played. Maybe my luck's left me.
Luck? Don't worry. Luck's on your side.
Another round?
The CAF members are on their way. I talked to Ashanti again,
he still expects FIFA's support in rebuilding their ruined stadiums.
My friend, after everything we've done, we must get these votes. No matter what.
Listen, I don't think this guy deserves to win the election.
You should be the candidate, not him. You do all the work.
RALPH LIVINGSTON SWISS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, KÄSER'S COUSIN
If you want East Germany's vote...
It is vital that you vote for China's incorporation into FIFA.
The Communists are a bloc.
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.
-Do the Chinese even care about football? -They don't. It's a display of power.
If I vote for China, I get East Germany's vote.
Which was a Rous vote.
Jacques Ashanti, from Haiti. Listen, I need to meet with Mr. Rous.
Extremely busy? I can imagine. But Mr. Rous...
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...
For.
Simply by endorsing China's incorporation to FIFA.
ROUS: 33 - JOÃO: 31 - UNDECIDED: 3
-How are you doing? -Hey.
-How was the way down here? -It was fine.
-The military are skulking about... -Hi, my queen. Enough of that.
-Let's have fun? -Let's go.
Thank you very much.
Sivoca, hold onto this for me, will you? I'll be right back.
-Take it easy, man... -Let go of me! Take your hands off!
Let go! You have no idea who I am, and you don't want to find out.
You tell him! That's how I like my women, with spunk!
Hey, calm down. What the hell?
Come on, Castor! You gotta get this casino legalized someday.
They want money. We made a deal, $20,000, plus my 20% fee.
-I'm not falling for that, Mazona. -Take it or leave it.
Tell the judge it's settled, then. Except for one problem.
The money's in a safe in the casino, we need to open it.
They want money now.
Going inside could take too long. Do you have money elsewhere?
-Sivoca... You know what to do. -I'll handle it, boss.
-João! -I'm here!
6 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION
The bad one, we didn't consider about the whole China issue.
The Chinese killed my father during the war!
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 30 - UNDECIDED: 3
Someone approached me with information. I think it was a spy.
"Any federation that disaffiliates itself from FIFA, and then it affiliates again,
"will be fined two thousand dollars in order to recover their right to vote
"in the presidential elections." Motherfuckers!
So we need three-two thousand dollars.
And the deadline to register to vote is Monday at noon.
UNDECIDED: 3 VOTES FOR ROUS: 34
VOTES FROM CAF ON HOLD: 16 VOTE COUNT FOR JOÃO: 14
This is only half of what we need. What can we do? The banks are closed.
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.
You should place higher bets. You can make a lot more profit.
-You're damn good at poker, queen. -But I don't have any cash.
I'm sure your husband does.
-Hey! Get out of my way! -Hey!
Hello? How may I help you, Mrs. Isabel? Yes, I hear you well.
No, your husband didn't leave any money here. Not for you either?
-Didn't he mention we keep no money here? -How difficult.
Should I call my husband so he can explain it to you?
I bet he'll be annoyed, and not at me.
Did your father ever mention anything about a company named Barbosa LTD?
Honey, listen.
I need the money from the CBD's safe.
What do you mean? What money? I don't know anything about...
I'll explain later. Our future's at stake. Just do as I say.
In my drawer, you'll find a copy of the key to the safe.
Go to CBD, grab the money, give it to Cédric and he'll bring it here.
He'll fly to Berlin at 7 a.m. tomorrow
Go there at 6:30 p.m. during shift change.
That's where Pereira steps in. Take Cédric with you.
Isabel, did he really want me to help? I doubt it.
-You're his favorite brother. -I'm his only brother.
Everything is up to you, got it?
-Four. -One.
No!
Would you mind telling me what happened to the $20,000
that were in the CBD's safe?
I spent it buying off a judge.
João needs that money. I already secured a chunk.
-What about the rest? -Don't worry, we can get it...
By winning at poker.
We can get it all in one night if we lure in the big players.
And leave João's future to chance? No way!
That's where you're mistaken. Poker is not about chance, it's about intelligence.
And you're intelligent. We just need a place.
Somewhere squeaky clean that no one would suspect is a gambling den...
-CBD headquarters. -Are you insane, Isabel?
Your turn, ma'am. Please.
-Teixeira! -Mr. Havelange, Dirceu got injured.
So? Do you want me to massage him? This victory depends on you, okay?
I know. Calm down. I bought the newspaper for your entertainment.
My...
Thank you.
-Cédric! -Brother!
I can't believe it! Give me a hug!
You freaking did it!
Who's this?
Aldo, I am sorry...
Hey, Porrúa, I warned you, and still, you cry?
They fucked you over, right?
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...
I'll leave you two alone, so you can get to know each other.
Thanks.
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
Finally, you're taking care of the team, instead of this whole FIFA debacle.
I hope the money works it's magic. I don't want any surprises.
Tell him.
We had quite a scare. Vitória called me all worried.
If we lose today, you know what's coming, for you and your family.
The money has been duly invested, right?
Isabel, listen. Pick up Vitória and stay with Castor.
I'm getting scared. What have you gotten us into?
Nothing, honey.
Just do as I say, please. Go to Castor's house.
Don't you boss me around now.
Don't worry, we're not alone. Sivoca is here with us.
Just promise you won't go anywhere. Can you do that?
I promise. Now, about something else...
Have you heard of this Barbosa company?
It's listed on my father's estate.
We'll talk about that later, okay?
Isabel, just don't leave the house, okay?
I love you both.
It could be a uniform violation. In Switzerland...
Well, If you'd like, I can play along
and talk about the stupidity of men running after a ball. But...
We have to focus on--
-I'll speak with you later. -Okay.
Well, you know I admire your father. Send him and your brother my regards.
I have a more elegant solution.
In exchange, I want you to get me a vote for the FIFA election.
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 32 - UNDECIDED: 1
How much do you value being able to give your child the gift of a dream?
Pelé has the ball. He shoots. Goal!
Brazil, Australia, all playing together. Isn't that marvelous?
ROUS: 34 - JOÃO: 33 - UNDECIDED: 0
14 HOURS UNTIL THE ELECTION
Jean-Marie, what happens if the election is a tie?
We'd need to have another election.
More opportunities to bargain means more chances of winning.
So, if one voter for Rous doesn't show up, everything changes?
That's right.
-Are you sure, Larissa? -Absolutely sure.
Your father was a front for Jean-Marie. Now that he's dead, you became the front.
You're the owner of Barbosa LTD. In other words, you own Wesbra.
I'm just one hit away from getting knocked out.
I'd rather you gave me that hit.
Come on. Hit me.
FIFA'S ELECTION DAY
Shit, I'm late to the vote!
No, just stay here...
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.
Subtitles translated by Ticiana Massi Grenga