Indigenous Originarios squad launches professional campaign in Rio de Janeiro state

The Originarios, a professional soccer squad founded by Guarani Mbya people from the Mata Verde Bonita village, made its official championship debut in Marica. As the first fully Indigenous team to compete in an official soccer championship in Rio de Janeiro state, the club marks a significant institutional shift in how the state championship is approached. The squad was established to combat prejudice and secure representation for Indigenous people, a demographic that represents 0.8 per cent of Brazil's population yet faces high rates of violence in land disputes.

Club president Tupa Nunes, who is also the chief of the Mata Verde Bonita village, clarified that the team's primary goal extends beyond winning titles. The initial objective was to form the team and play in the championship to give visibility to a people who suffer greatly while directly defending their land. Nunes expressed the belief that by playing great, well-played football, the team can break the hearts of those who failed to understand their project and people. During the matches, players showcased Guarani culture through the use of body paint, a practice described by forward Edilson Karai Mirim as a representation of his people and history.

The recruitment strategy employed by head coach Huberlan Silva involved an active search for Indigenous talent across the country, targeting hidden ability within communities that had previously lacked opportunities. Silva stated that wherever he knew there was an Indigenous community, he sought to find individuals who could become high-performance professional athletes. This approach resulted in a squad consisting of players recruited from across Brazil, including those travelling from thousands of miles away, deep within the Amazon rainforest, to join the competition.

While the team scored goals in their debut, the narrative remains firmly rooted in social justice rather than sporting outcomes. Indigenous people are disproportionately targeted by violence, with research indicating hundreds are killed every year in land disputes in Brazil. The Originarios project aims to utilise the platform of the state championship to highlight these systemic issues and provide a voice for a group often marginalised in public discourse.

Looking forward, Nunes expressed ambitions for the team to progress beyond the Rio de Janeiro state championship. The club president dreams of seeing Originarios players open doors to play for major Brazilian clubs such as Flamengo, Botafogo, and Fluminense, as well as teams in Europe. Furthermore, the long-term institutional goal includes reaching the Brazilian national team, ensuring that the struggle for representation continues to evolve on a national and international stage.