The book opens with the quotation from Brazilian novelist Roberto Drummond ”Our Father, who art in Heaven, let all Women of this world abandon this Sinner, but do not allow, my Lord, that Cruzeiro scores the equalizing goal.”.
After the book was published, Brazil won the World Cup, which began the second period of Brazilian soccer supremacy (1994–present).
Also the title shows a subtle association with The Divine Comedy of Dante: a combination of hell, fire and heaven.
Sport reporters could quote the offensive line-up of 1958 by heart: (Garrincha, Didi, Vavá, Pelé, Zagallo).
When a new right-wing player joined soccer club Ajax Amsterdam, a club-manager made the dubious comment: “he reminds me of Garrincha” (possibly due to his need for alcohol?).