L.A. museum highlights Jewish roots that shaped world's most popular soccer styles
Key takeaways
- And Brazil may never have become the greatest soccer-playing country on Earth.
- That’s because Guttmann changed the shape of modern Brazilian soccer — and changed the sport forever — when he imported the revolutionary 4-2-4 system from Hungary to Sao Paulo in 1957.
- But what Guttmann brought to Brazil isn’t nearly as interesting as how he got it there.
Print Holocaust Museum LA is unveiling “The Beautiful Game ... The Untold Story,” an exhibit tracing the forgotten Jewish roots of modern soccer.Th exhibit highlights the impact Holocaust survivor coach Béla Guttmann and fellow innovators had on soccer’s style and strategy.Exhibit organizers hope hundreds of recovered trophies, jerseys and photos challenge stereotypes about Jewish athletes. p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix max-w-170 mt-7.5 mb-10 mx-auto" data-subscriber-content> Béla Guttmann may be the most consequential soccer coach you’ve never heard of. But if it weren’t for Guttmann, you may never have heard of Pelé.
And Brazil may never have become the greatest soccer-playing country on Earth.
That’s because Guttmann changed the shape of modern Brazilian soccer — and changed the sport forever — when he imported the revolutionary 4-2-4 system from Hungary to Sao Paulo in 1957. A year later, Brazil won the first of five World Cups and the joga bonito was born.