Watch CBS News

Behind the scenes: Brazil's famous goal announcer

It's the sound every World Cup fan is anxious to hear.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!"

It is a familiar sound at Globo Radio in Rio de Janeiro, where legendary Brazilian broadcaster Edson Mauro is announcing his 10th World Cup broadcast.

Mauro spent decades perfecting his unique song. He said his cry is not just a reflection of the score, it's also a reflection of the fans.

"When a team scores, there is an explosion of the stadium," he said. "The fan shakes, jumps, dances and the announcer has to make the crowd able to feel the emotion that he is feeling."

The now-legendary cry first started on Brazilian radio in the 1940s and quickly became a hallmark of Brazil's beautiful game.

Today, the cry has been adopted by commentators across the globe, with sounds mimicking a range of things from the Italian opera to the Spanish staccato.

But in Brazil, where soccer game days are sometimes treated like national holidays, announcers spend years perfecting their pitch and personality.

Preparations start inside one of Brazil's broadcasting schools, Escola de Rádio. Future announcers study intricate plays, names of players and most importantly -- the call.

gol203.jpg
Mathias Dias (center) learns the art of being an announcer for soccer games at one of Brazil's broadcasting schools, Escola de Rádio. CBS News

Mathias Dias grew up listening to Brazil's famous announcers.

"You know how to seduce your audience, you know how to make them pay attention to you," he said. "You give emotion in what you are doing, what you are saying."

Laura Zago wants to be Brazil's first female sports radio announcer.

"Specifically in radio, I think that in order for you to be a soccer narrator, you have to be good," Zago said.

Forty years after he began calling soccer games, Mauro still finds excitement in every match, no matter what the score.

"The goal is obviously the best part of the game," Mauro said. "There are very talented players, and even when they don't score a goal, it's immensely pleasurable to describe that play. Above all it's a well-played game."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.