The World Today
The sale of the Maracanã stadium rekindles controversy in Rio de Janeiro.
The sale of the Maracanã stadium has reignited public debate in Rio de Janeiro, after the state government included the iconic stadium and the Aldeia Maracanã in a new list of properties it plans to privatize. The measure was approved by the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) of the Alerj (National Electoral Commission) on Wednesday, October 22, and is already drawing criticism for its cultural and symbolic impact.
According to the newspaper O'Globo , the CCJ (City of Justice) approved Complementary Bill 40/25, which regulates the sale of public property in the state. In the new text, 16 properties were removed from the original list and 30 more were added, including the Maracanã Complex , bringing the total to 62 properties for sale.
A stadium that transcends football
The report accompanying the proposal was prepared by a working group headed by Representative Alexandre Knoploch (PL). Among the criteria defined, it was decided to exclude properties with social or educational uses, such as the Caio Martins Complex, the Leblon Battalion, and the Villa-Lobos Music School. However, including the Maracanã Stadium on the list raised alarm bells: this is not just any property, but a symbol of Brazilian identity.
The news came hours before a crucial Copa Libertadores between Flamengo and Racing Club de Avellaneda , scheduled for 9:30 p.m. local time and broadcast on ESPN and Disney+. Amid the football euphoria, the idea of selling the country's most famous stadium seems, to many, a provocation.
Background: When Eike Batista Wanted to Buy the Maracanã
Maracanã stadium has been sold . In 2011, businessman Eike Batista , then the richest man in Brazil, announced his intention to buy the stadium. He did so through his company IMX, created to expand into the sports and entertainment business, amid major 2016 Olympic Games
That attempt failed, but it marked the beginning of a long series of private proposals to develop the stadium. Today, more than a decade later, the debate is resurfacing, but in a very different economic and political context.
The historical value of the Maracanã
Inaugurated in 1950, the Maracanã Stadium is much more than a football field. It has hosted two World Cup finals and witnessed unforgettable moments. The first, on July 16, 1950, is etched in the memory of Uruguayans as the "Maracanazo": Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1 in front of more than 200,000 spectators, in one of the greatest achievements in world sport.
The second World Cup final was played in 2014. This time, the story was different: Argentina , led by Lionel Messi , lost to Germany 1-0 in extra time, with the memorable goal by Mario Götze.
Beyond the results, the Maracaná represents the passion, memory, and soul of South American football. That's why the possibility of its sale is so resentful among fans and defenders of cultural heritage.
A decision that divides Rio
The stadium's future is still undetermined. Some argue that selling the Maracanã could guarantee its maintenance and reduce public spending. Others, however, warn that privatizing a national symbol is equivalent to selling off a part of Brazil's identity.
Meanwhile, the issue will remain in the legislative debate of the Alerj, where a final vote is expected in the coming weeks.
Beyond the political debate, the project to put the Maracanã stadium up for sale reopens a profound discussion about the management of public property in Brazil. What's at stake is not just a stadium, but a cultural icon that represents the football identity and collective memory of millions of people.
