With well-known names from Brazilian cinema and television, the series already appears as one of Netflix's most ambitious bets for 2026, especially in a year marked by the anticipation of the World Cup.
What is Brasil 70: The Tri Saga about?
The plot follows the behind-the-scenes of the Brazilian National Team between the traumatic elimination at the 1966 Cup and the historic conquest of the three-time world championship in Mexico in 1970.
The narrative begins at a moment of strong mistrust. After the failure in the previous tournament, few believed that Brazil would return to the top of world football. Amid criticism, the figure of João Saldanha emerges, played by Rodrigo Santoro, responsible for initiating the team's reconstruction.
At the same time, Pelé appears as the great symbol of Brazilian hope. The series shows how the player had to deal with enormous pressure while trying to lead a generation that would become legendary.
However, one of the most important moments in the narrative is precisely João Saldanha's departure from the Brazilian National Team's technical command. The change happens amid political pressure and internal conflicts related to the Brazilian military regime.
This is when Zagallo, played by Bruno Mazzeo, takes over the already practically assembled team and must manage egos, external tension and the expectations of an entire country.
The series goes beyond football
Although football is the center of the story, the production should also explore the political and social context of Brazil in the 1970s.
The World Cup that year took place during an extremely delicate period in Brazilian history. The country was living through the so-called "years of lead," a phase marked by political repression during the military dictatorship.
Therefore, the series intends to show how football ended up being used as an instrument of national identity amid a climate of censorship and political control.
This aspect could transform Brasil 70: The Tri Saga into something more than just a sports production. Netflix's idea seems to be to combine emotion, nostalgia and historical context in a narrative capable of reaching different generations.
For younger audiences, the series can function as a gateway to understanding the importance of that Brazilian National Team. For those who lived through that era or grew up hearing stories about the three-time championship, the production promises strong emotional appeal.
Who plays Pelé in the Brasil 70: The Tri Saga series?
One of the greatest challenges of the production was finding an actor capable of playing Pelé.
According to information released by Netflix itself, the role required someone who not only had physical similarity to the player, but also real skill with the ball at his feet.
The chosen one was Lucas Agrícola, who takes on the mission of representing one of the greatest athletes in sports history.
The choice drew attention precisely because Pelé carries enormous historical weight. The former player is frequently cited by experts, journalists and former athletes as the greatest football player of all time.
In addition to portraying his genius on the field, the series should also explore the emotional pressure faced by the star during that period.
