User:HistoryGerb2409!!/Leônidas

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At the height of his career, Leonidas da Silva was very popular amongst the people of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. In the 1930s and 1940s, Leonidas was a celebrity against the backdrop of controversy and racial discrimination looming within Brazil during this time. Leonidas had a major impact on and off the field because of his ability to relate to the working classes of Brazil, and his humble beginnings and racial representation led to this national popularity. When his team won the Brazilian Club Championship in 1931, the people of Rio de Janeiro greeted Leonidas and his team in the streets of the city with cheerful crowds dancing and celebrating their victory. Historically, Leonidas is well known for his contributions to the relationship between consumerism and the business side of football within the country. In the year 1938, Leonidas especially gained massive popularity after his appearance in the World Cup tournament and it was then that he started to receive numerous advertisement offers, such as for watches and cigarettes. His willingness to participate in interviews and being a constant within the public eye helped his fans feel more connected to Leonidas. Later that same year, a voting popularity contest was held including Leonidas and he received 249,080 votes in his favor, thus winning the contest.