With the ball at his feet, football was not just a sport, but was transformed into art. And Manuel Francisco dos Santos aka Garrincha, was no ordinary artist. Pele, is probably the only other Brazilian, who comes close to matching Garrincha's popularity here.


A picture of Garrincha adorns the entrance of Brasilia's Entre Copas art gallery. Pic/Kashinath Bhattacharjee 

So, it was not surprising to find an art gallery 'Entre Copas — Arte Brasileira 1950-2014' (art between the World Cups Brazil had hosted in 1950 and 2014) dominated by images of Garrincha. The exhibition is on display at the National Museum here in Brasilia from June 11 to July 27.