The Spanish defender who broke a Brazilian homophobic taboo
In short: In 2019, Pablo Marí became a historic figure in South American football. While winning the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo, he wore the number 24—a jersey number that carries a deep homophobic taboo in Brazil. His journey from Mallorca's youth system to the heights of Brazilian glory is a study in cultural navigation.
Born in Almussafes in 1993, Marí’s career began in the youth academy of RCD Mallorca. He spent years honing his craft in Spain's third division before making a high-profile move to Manchester City in 2016. His path was non-linear, involving loans and permanent moves across the Netherlands (NAC Breda), Brazil (Flamengo), England (Arsenal), and Italy (Monza, Fiorentina). This nomadic trajectory allowed him to adapt to diverse footballing cultures rapidly. His tenure at Flamengo in 2019 was particularly significant. Marí became only the third Spanish player to represent the Brazilian club, following Talladas in the 1930s and José Ufarte in the 1960s. During this period, he achieved immense success, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Série A title. He was recognized as a standout performer, being named to the Série A Team of the Year and the Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament. Beyond the trophies, Marí’s presence in Brazil highlighted complex social dynamics. By wearing the number 24 during the Copa Libertadores, he navigated a specific cultural taboo regarding LGBTQ+ themes in Brazilian sports culture. His career has since been marked by both professional milestones and personal resilience; notably, in October 2022, he survived a violent stabbing at a supermarket in Milan while playing for Monza. He recently moved to Fiorentina in early 2025 before heading to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Pablo Marí
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