The jerseys selected for the exhibition were actually worn in World Cups between 1958 and 2022. There are “sweaty jerseys,” which were worn by players who took the field; “worn jerseys,” which were worn by players who remained on the bench; and “prepared jerseys,” apparel that was only brought to the tournament. Uniforms worn by Vinícius Jr. in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and by Didi, the 1962 World Cup champion, are on display, as well as jerseys worn by legends such as Sócrates, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, and Rivellino, among others.

The jersey worn by Pelé in the 1970 World Cup final against Italy, when Brazil became three-time champions, has been put back on display, especially for this temporary exhibition. This piece, which is part of the Museum’s collection, will return to the display case specially built for it in the Pelé Room, an area that pays tribute to the “King of Football” in the Museum’s main exhibition. Next to it, in another display case, will be displayed an 1994 Brazilian National Team jersey autographed by the players who secured Brazil’s fourth World Cup victory, celebrating one of the greatest achievements in Brazilian football history.

Amarelinha aims to highlight the value of jerseys, both for what they symbolize and for their materiality, as well as the issues related to their manufacture, use, collection, preservation, and conservation – an ongoing, multifaceted endeavor involving techniques and professionals from various fields.

Thus, the exhibition features sections dedicated to showcasing the fabric. There is a textile glossary illustrating various types of weaves and finishes, a timeline tracing the evolution of shirt-making techniques, and a tactile shirt that visitors can touch.

“AMARELINHA IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM’S SHIRT BEYOND THE SYMBOL. EACH PIECE TELLS STORIES ABOUT GAMES, ATHLETES, FANS, DESIGN, AND TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY. IT IS AN INVITATION TO OBSERVE THEM AS MUSEUM ITEMS, IN ALL THEIR LAYERS: MEMORY, INFORMATION, AND MEANING.”

Marília Bonas, Technical Director of the Football Museum

The exhibition also presents the history of the creation of the yellow jersey: after Brazil’s defeat by Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final at the Maracanã Stadium, the Brazilian Sports Confederation (CBD) and the newspaper Correio da Manhã launched a national contest to replace the white uniforms of the Brazilian national team. One contest requirement was that the new uniform incorporate the four colors of the national flag.

Aldyr Schlee, who ironically lived on the border between Brazil and Uruguay and had a soft spot for our Maracanazo tormentors, ended up designing the winning jersey. Schlee suggested using golden yellow on the jersey, along with a green collar and cuffs and cobalt blue shorts. White was incorporated into the socks. The exhibition showcases this entire story through Aldyr’s drawings, as well as interactive analog and digital experiences that present uniforms and interesting facts about several World Cup jerseys.

The interactive area of the exhibition invites visitors to participate in a simple and direct way. Using a touchscreen kiosk, they can select the content they wish to explore and follow along on the projection screen. There are two paths to choose from. One allows you to view profiles of all the national teams that have ever participated in World Cups. Each profile features illustrations of their uniforms and other relevant information. The other path lets you access a selection of trivia related to the most significant jerseys from past World Cup editions.

Visitors can learn stories about memorable matches, details about the players who wore the uniforms, and information about design changes over the decades. This content was developed in partnership with FutBox. The goal is to provide a dynamic experience that enhances visitors’ understanding of the items on display and connects them to the stories behind each jersey and national team.

Before the Yellow Jersey delves into the creation of the yellow jersey in 1953 after the white uniform was rejected following the 1950 World Cup. This section features documents, images, and a video about the design competition that Aldyr Garcia Schlee won. It also contextualizes the impact of the 1950 defeat on the development of this new symbol.

Jersey: Garment, Expression, Document brings together the exhibition’s 18 central pieces, offering a broader perspective on the jersey, beyond its sporting function. These pieces reveal identities, cultural contexts, and defining moments in Brazilian football. This section also features an installation exploring the world of textiles and a sensory table where visitors can use a digital microscope and tactile panels to observe the differences between fabrics such as cotton and polyester.

National Teams and World Cups presents a timeline that links the evolution of World Cups to the transformation of uniforms. This exhibit brings together trivia and information on the 84 national teams that have participated in the tournament, as well as player testimonials on the significance of the jersey across different generations.