Soccer vocabulary in Portuguese

If you want to understand a soccer broadcast in Brazil or cheer alongside Brazilians without missing a beat, you need to know the soccer vocabulary in Portuguese. The words, expressions, and slang used on Brazilian fields are very different from what you’re used to in English.

In this post you’ll learn everything from how to say soccer in Brazilian Portuguese to expressions only Brazilians know, like pelada, frangueiro, caceteiro, and luva de quiabo. You’ll also find the soccer positions in Portuguese, how to talk about fouls, goals, injuries, and much more.

You’ll also find bonus content: YouTube channels, Instagram profiles, and podcasts 100% in Portuguese about soccer — so you can keep practicing with a topic you’re already passionate about.

Video: Words and Expressions — Soccer Vocabulary in Portuguese

List of Words and Expressions — Soccer in Portuguese

WAYS TO SAY — CASUAL SOCCER GAME IN PORTUGUESE

In Brazil, a casual game between friends has several names depending on the context and region. Nobody just calls it a “game” — each term has its own vibe and is used in different situations:

• RACHA / RACHÃO
• AMISTOSO
• PELADA
• BATER BOLA
• BABA

FAZER UM VAQUINHA PRA ALUGAR UM CAMPO

Very similar to the English concept of “chipping in,” it’s a group collection of money to fund something together — in this case, renting a field to play.

TIRAR O TIME

In an informal game between friends, this is the moment when 2 people pick who will be on each team. It’s the Brazilian equivalent of “picking teams” or “choosing sides.”

BEFORE THE GAME STARTS

Before the game kicks off, there’s a whole warm-up routine. These are the expressions you’ll hear on the field while players are getting ready:

• ALONGANDO
• GALERA TÁ ESQUENTANDO
• AQUECIMENTO

15 expressions with the verb TIRAR in Portuguese

BETTING POOL

FAZER UM BOLÃO is a very popular group betting pool in Brazil, especially during World Cups. Participants compete to see who predicts the most results correctly, and at the end, the pooled money is split among those with the best predictions.

THE PLAYER WHO WON’T PASS THE BALL

There’s one in every pickup game. The player who hogs the ball and never lets it go, no matter how many open teammates are around. In Brazil they have several names for this person:

• FOMINHA
• GULA

14 expressions with BOLA in Portuguese

VERY AGGRESSIVE ON THE FIELD

The player who goes in hard every time, without holding back. In Brazil there’s a whole vocabulary for describing aggression on the field, from rough tackles to players known for their brutality:

• CACETEIRO
• AÇOUGUEIRO
• ENTRANDO DURO
• ENTRADA ASSASINA
• ENTRADA BRUSCA
• ENTRADA MALDOSA
• CHEGANDO JUNTO
• ENTROU / CHEGOU RASGANDO
• ESCORÃO

PLAYS VERY BADLY

Brazilians are creative when it comes to describing a bad player. If someone has no idea how to kick a ball, get ready to hear one of these nicknames:

• PERNA DE PAU
• BOLA MURCHA
• PEREBA
• MURRINHA

BAD GOALKEEPER

The goalkeeper who lets in easy goals has a special place in Brazilian vocabulary. These expressions describe the keeper who seems to have hands coated in oil — or okra:

• FRANGUEIRO
• MÃO DE ALFACE
• LUVA DE QUIABO
• MÃO DE LODO

19 expressions with MÃO in Portuguese

WHEN A GOAL IS SCORED

The moment of the goal in Brazil comes with very particular expressions. From the dribble that sets it up to the humiliation of letting one through your legs — here’s the essential vocabulary:

• DRIBLAR
• LEVOU UM GOL
• TOMOU UM FRANGO
• POR DEBAIXO DAS PERNAS – CANETA – ROLINHO
• POR BAIXO DA SAIA

REFEREE WHO MAKES BAD CALLS

A biased or incompetent referee is a classic of soccer everywhere in the world, but in Brazil it has its own vocabulary. When the ref calls everything in favor of the home team or makes serious mistakes, the crowd responds with:

• APITA FALTA A FAVOR DA CASA
• JUÍZ CASEIRO
• LADRÃO
• JUÍZ VENDIDO

SPEED ON THE FIELD

When a player takes off at full speed and leaves everyone behind, Brazilians have several ways to describe it. These expressions capture that moment when someone “lights up” and nobody can catch them:

• PEGOU VELOCIDADE
• BOM ARRANQUE
• DEU UMA CARREIRA
• PEGOU PIQUE
• PEGOU EMBALO

How to use PEGAR in Portuguese

14 expressions related to speed in Portuguese

PAIN AND INJURY

Injuries and physical pain are part of the game. These are the most common expressions for describing what happens to a player’s body on the field:

• DEU CÃIBRA (got a cramp) — when a muscle contracts involuntarily and painfully, usually from fatigue or dehydration. Very common toward the end of matches.
• DISTENSÃO MUSCULAR (muscle strain) — a stretching or partial tearing of a muscle. One of the most frequent injuries in soccer, especially in the hamstrings.
• DOR DESVIADA (side stitch) — the sharp pain that appears on the side of your torso when you run after drinking water or eating. It’s the classic pain that forces you to stop and grab your side with your hand.

Ways to say I’M SORE in Portuguese

THE PLAYER WHO ALWAYS STAYS NEAR THE GOAL

The striker who’s always lurking in the opponent’s box, waiting for their chance — or constantly getting caught offside. In Brazil, this type of player has generated its own vocabulary:

• NA BANHEIRA / BANHEIRINHA
• PIVÔ
• IMPEDIDO
• ADIANTADO
• DISPUTA COM ZAGUEIRO GUARDA ROUPA
• XERIFÃO (MAIS MORAL, EXPERIENTE)

PLAYS / PASSES

Brazil is known worldwide for its creative and technical style of play. To describe all those jaw-dropping moves, Brazilians have a very specific vocabulary:

• PASSAR — to pass the ball to a teammate, the most basic move in soccer.
• TOCAR — a short, quick pass without much force. The precise touch that keeps the game moving.
• JOGADA DE EFEITO — a spectacular play done to show off, beyond what’s strictly necessary.
• FAZER A FINTA — to fake out the opponent with your body before passing or shooting.
• TOCAR DE CALCANHAR — a backheel pass, one of the most elegant and surprising touches in soccer.
• BICICLETA — bicycle kick, the acrobatic overhead shot. One of the most spectacular plays in soccer.
• GOL DE LETRA — a goal where the player crosses one leg behind the standing leg and shoots with the heel. Known by different names in English-speaking countries — sometimes called a “scorpion kick” or “rabona goal” depending on the exact technique.
• VOLEIO — a volley, when the ball is struck before it touches the ground.
• TRIVELA (TRÊS DEDOS) — a shot or pass using the outside of the foot, with the three outer toes. Difficult to execute and very effective.
• BICO — shooting or passing with the tip of the toe. Not very technical but very powerful.
• FAZER EMBAIXADINHA — keeping the ball in the air using only your feet without letting it drop. In English it’s known as “juggling” or “keepie-uppies,” though the name varies by country.

Brasileiro ‘humilha’ argentino em desafio de embaixadinha na praia

EXPRESSIONS OF SURPRISE — CLOSE CALL ON GOAL

The ball grazes the post and the crowd explodes. In Brazil, that moment of tension and surprise has its own expressions — from instinctive shouts to phrases that describe exactly what just happened:

• CAAARAAI
• POOOORRA
• VIIIISH
• UUUUUU
• PASSOU RASPANDO (just grazed it) — the ball passed very close to the goal without going in, grazing the post or crossbar.
• TIROU TINTA DA TRAVE (scraped the paint off the post) — the ball hit the post so hard it “scraped the paint off.” Used to emphasize just how close the goal was.
• BATEU NO TRAVESSÃO (hit the crossbar) — the ball struck the horizontal bar of the goal. One of the most frustrating moments for the attacking team.
• BATEU NO POSTE (hit the post) — the ball struck one of the vertical goalposts.
• ACORDOU A CORUJA (woke up the owl) — a poetic expression meaning the shot went so close it “woke up the owl sleeping at the top of the stadium.” Used for shots that fly just wide or over the goal.

Sounds Brazilians make with their mouths

Side note: When the ball goes out of bounds, the ball boy / ball girl (gandula / gandulinha) goes to retrieve it.

PHYSICAL CONTACT / AGGRESSION

Soccer involves contact, and Brazil has a word for every type of hit. From the classic carrinho to dirtier moves, here’s the vocabulary for physical contact on the field:

• CARRINHO (MALDOSO / ASSASSINO) — a sliding tackle, one of the most feared moves on the field. When it’s “assassino” it goes straight for the opponent’s leg to cause injury.
• MÃOZADA — an intentional slap or shove at an opponent, usually to the face or chest.
• CABEÇADA — a headbutt to an opponent, not to the ball. A classic.
• JOELHADA — a knee strike, one of the most painful and hardest-to-spot fouls for the referee.
• CANELADA — a shin kick, very common in ball disputes.
• DEDADA — a finger jab, usually to the opponent’s eyes or face.
• COTOVELADA — an elbow strike, frequent in jumps and aerial challenges.
• CALCANHADA — a stomp on the opponent’s heel, often disguised as a normal play.
• CELADA / PÉ NA COXA — a kick to the thigh, hurts a lot even though it doesn’t always get called.
• ESCORÃO / NA DIVIDIDA — a heavy collision in a ball dispute where both players go all in.

INJURIES

When a player gets hurt on a play, these are the expressions you’ll hear on the field or in the match broadcast:

• SOFREU/LEVOU UMA PANCADA
• SOFREU UMA ENTRADA DURA
• TORCER O TORNOZELO

THE FANS

Brazilian fans are some of the most passionate in the world. In Brazil, a fan doesn’t just support — they live soccer with a unique intensity. Here are the key words for understanding the world of Brazilian supporters:

• TORCER – TO ROOT FOR / CHEER
• TORCIDA – FAN / SUPPORTER
• TORCIDA ORGANIZADA

4 MATCHES THAT ALLOW ONLY ONE FAN SECTION

In the most intense São Paulo derbies, for security reasons, only one team’s fans are allowed in the stadium. These matches are called torcida única. The four major teams in the state are:

• SÃO PAULO
• PALMEIRAS
• CORINTHIANS
• SANTOS

And each derby between them has its own nickname:

• SÃO PAULO – CORINTHIANS (VAI TER MAJESTOSO)
• SÃO PAULO – PALMEIRAS (VAI TER CHOQUE REI)
• SÃO PAULO – SANTOS (VAI TER SANÇÃO)
• CORINTHIANS – PALMEIRAS (DERBI)

FOUL

After a rough tackle or a handball in the box, everyone waits for the referee’s call. These are the most common expressions around the moment a foul is called:

• ACHO QUE VAI DAR (CARTÃO AMARELO, VERMELHO)
• TIRO LIVRE

WHAT PLAYERS WEAR FROM THE WAIST DOWN

A player’s gear has very specific names in Portuguese. If you’re going to talk soccer in Brazil, you need to know what each piece of clothing and equipment is called from the waist down:

• CUECA (underwear / boxers) — the undergarment worn beneath the shorts. Part of a player’s base layer in Brazil.
• SHORT (shorts) — the short pants of the uniform. Pronounced the same as in English and used throughout Brazil.
• CANELEIRA (shin guard) — the protective pad that covers the shin. Required in official matches.
• MEIÃO (long sock) — the tall sock that covers the shin guard and reaches the knee.
• CHUTEIRA (cleats / soccer shoes) — the specific footwear for playing soccer. Known as “cleats” or “boots” in English.
• CADARÇO (shoelace) — the lace of the cleat. A small detail, but no game without it.
• CRAVOS (cleats / studs) — the studs on the sole of the shoe that provide traction on the grass.

NOTE: The team captain wears the “FAIXA” (captain’s armband).

6 ways to use FAIXA in Portuguese

STOPPAGE TIME

The minutes the referee adds at the end of each half to make up for stoppages in play. In Brazil it’s called acréscimo — not “extra time” or “additional time”:

• ACRÉSCIMO

IF THE GAME IS STILL TIED

The prorrogação consists of two additional 15-minute periods for a total of 30 extra minutes. If the score is still tied after the prorrogação, the match is decided on penalties.

• PRORROGAÇÃO

IT WENT TO PENALTIES

The penalty shootout is the most nerve-wracking moment in soccer. In Brazil, every type of penalty kick has its own name — from the perfect shot to the one that sails into the stands:

• BATER PENALTI DE CAVADINHA — a soft, chipped penalty that tricks the goalkeeper who already dove. Known in English as a “Panenka” or “chipped penalty.”
• CHUTAR FORTE — to shoot with full power, regardless of direction. Pure striker instinct.
• METER UM CANUDO — to slot the ball into the corner so precisely it goes in “like through a tube.” An unstoppable shot.
• METER UM BOMBAÇO — an extremely powerful shot with full leg strength. The goalkeeper barely moves.
• METER UMA BOMBA — similar to the bombaço, a very powerful strike.
• CHUTOU NA LUA (kicked it to the moon) — the shot went way over the crossbar, so high it “went all the way to the moon.” The penalty taker you never want on your team.
• DEU UM BALÃO (gave a balloon) — the ball floated way up in the air like a balloon. Another way of saying the shot went completely off target and upward.
• BATER FURANDO A REDE (blowing through the net) — shooting with so much power the ball seems like it’ll rip through the net. Used for very powerful goals.
• CHUTAR RASTEIRO (low shot along the ground) — a low, ground-level shot. Very hard to save because it forces the goalkeeper to dive quickly.
• BATEU COLOCADA (LÁ NO CANTINHO) (placed it in the corner) — a shot with curl, placed right in the corner of the goal where the goalkeeper can’t reach. The perfect penalty.
• BATEU COM JEITO (struck it with class) — a technically elegant shot, without brute force. The player who knows exactly where they want to put the ball.

27 Expressions with BATER in Portuguese

LOST BY A HUGE MARGIN (7X1)

When a team loses in crushing fashion, Brazilians have a whole arsenal of expressions to describe it. And if there’s one historic thrashing Brazilians will never forget, it’s the 7-1 against Germany at the 2014 World Cup:

• PERDEU FEIO
• PERDEU DE LAVADA
• FOI UMA GOLEADA
• FOI CHOCOLATE
• FOI UM BAILE
• FOI UM PASSEIO
• FOI 3 A 0, FORA O BAILE
• OS CARAS DEITARAM NO JOGO

It’s also possible to say that if a team is losing by a large margin and then manages to turn things around, they “viraram o jogo” — the equivalent of “they flipped the game” or “they came back.”

Different ways to use VIRAR in Portuguese

THE PLAYER WHO DIVES / FAKES FOULS

The player who hits the ground at the slightest contact and dramatizes every brush is a worldwide soccer classic. In Brazil they have several nicknames for them, all dripping with irony:

• CHORÃO
• CAI CAI
• BONECA
• MOLE
• É DE PAPEL
• É UMA MOÇA
• PRINCESA

Expressions with MOLE in Portuguese

WHEN THE BALL GOES OUT OF BOUNDS

Depending on where the ball goes out and who touched it last, play is restarted differently. Here are the three possible situations and what they’re called in Portuguese:

• LATERAL
• ESCANTEIO
• TIRO DE META

HEADING THE BALL

The header is one of the most spectacular plays in soccer. In Brazil, when a player jumps high to connect with a header, you’ll hear these expressions:

• CABECEAR ALTO
• CABECEOU NO 2º ANDAR

EXTRA

WHEN A PLAYER RETIRES

A player’s retirement also has its own vocabulary in Brazil. When a footballer decides to hang up their boots, Brazilians say it like this:

• SE APOSENTAR
• PENDURAR AS CHUTEIRAS

SOCCER POSITIONS IN BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE

Soccer positions in Brazil have their own names that don’t always match their English equivalents. Knowing them is key to understanding any Brazilian soccer broadcast or conversation:

• GOLEIRO (goalkeeper) — the goalkeeper, the only player who can use their hands.
• ZAGA / ZAGUEIRO (center back) — the defender who protects the team’s own box. “Zaga” refers to the defensive line in general and “zagueiro” to the specific player.
• MEIO CAMPO (midfield) — both the central zone of the field and the name for players who operate in that area. They are the bridge between defense and attack.
• MEIA (GERALMENTE O 10 É O MEIA) (attacking midfielder / playmaker) — the most technically gifted player on the team, usually the number 10. They create plays and distribute the ball toward the attack.
• PONTA DIREITA (right winger) — the player who attacks down the right flank, usually fast and skillful at dribbling.
• LATERAL DIREITA (right back) — the defender who plays on the right side. They push forward to support attacks and track back to defend.
• PONTA ESQUERDA (left winger) — the player who attacks down the left flank. Many of the world’s best dribblers play in this position.
• LATERAL ESQUERDA (left back) — the defender on the left side. Like the right back, they combine defensive duties with attacking support.
• VOLANTE (defensive midfielder) — the player who wins the ball back and shields the defense. The workhorse of the midfield — the one who runs the most and breaks up the most plays.
• ATACANTE (BATEDOR OFICIAL / ARTILHEIRO) (forward / top scorer) — the player responsible for scoring goals. “Batedor oficial” is the team’s designated penalty taker and “artilheiro” is the tournament’s top scorer.

SUBSTITUTE / BENCH PLAYER

Refers to a player who is on the bench during a match but not currently playing. They can come on as a substitute if the coach decides to make a change.

COMISSÃO TÉCNICA

The coaching staff — the group of professionals who work alongside the head coach. It typically includes fitness coaches, tactical assistants, goalkeeper coaches, and team doctors.

TÉCNICO

The head coach of the team. In Brazil the word used is técnico, not “treinador” in formal contexts. Their role is fundamental to the team’s tactical, strategic, and motivational direction.

AUXILIAR TÉCNICO

The assistant coach. They work closely with the head coach, help plan training sessions, and are often the one giving instructions from the sideline during matches.

TREINADOR

A more general term for coach. In Brazil, técnico is more common for the head coaching role, while treinador can refer to anyone who trains a team or athlete, regardless of level.

Radio vs. TV Broadcasting Style

Something interesting worth noticing is how Brazilian TV broadcasts often sound more like radio commentary — high energy, fast-paced, and extremely emotional, even on screen.

YouTube Channels — Soccer in Portuguese

If you want to practice Portuguese with content you’re already passionate about, YouTube is one of the best resources out there. These channels talk about Brazilian soccer in a natural, entertaining way — 100% in Portuguese — making them perfect for training your ear while enjoying the sport.

• Desimpedidos
• FutParódias
• Esporte Interativo
• Banheiristas
• Brazil Kickers

Instagram — Soccer in Portuguese

Following Brazilian soccer profiles on Instagram is an easy way to stay in daily contact with the language. These accounts consistently post news, analysis, and soccer content — and reading through the comments is great listening and reading practice too.

• @doentesporfutebol
• @vocesabiafutebol
• @benjaminback
• @osdonosdabola
• @cartolouco

Instagram Humor — Soccer in Portuguese

Brazilian soccer humor has its own language, packed with slang, colloquial expressions, and cultural references that only make sense once you know the context. These profiles are perfect for picking up natural Portuguese in a relaxed, entertaining way.

• @seficarputoepior
• @oficialmanualjr
• @cenaslamentaveis
• @desimpedidos
• @andrescardovelli

Podcasts — Soccer in Portuguese — Spotify

Podcasts are ideal for working on your listening comprehension during moments when you can’t read or watch videos — while driving, working out, or running errands. These shows discuss Brazilian soccer in natural, fluid Portuguese, exactly the way it sounds in everyday conversation in Brazil.

• O Bola nas Costas – Rede Atlândida
• Posse de Bola – UOL
• Linha de Passe – ESPN
• Meiocampo

Latest Soccer News in Portuguese

• Globo Esporte
  Part of the Grupo Globo network, Globo Esporte is a comprehensive and widely popular platform offering news, analysis, statistics, and video coverage across various sports — with a strong focus on soccer. It’s known for its extensive coverage and multimedia resources.
• ESPN Brasil
  The Brazilian version of ESPN provides news, analysis, and live coverage of sporting events including soccer. It offers a mix of written and audiovisual content, including live shows and interviews.
• UOL Esporte
  UOL Esporte, part of the UOL portal, is known for its detailed coverage of sporting events including soccer. It offers news, analysis, interviews, and multimedia content for fans.
• Lance!
  Lance! is one of Brazil’s oldest and most respected sports newspapers. It provides breaking news, tactical analysis, and exclusive interviews, with a primary focus on soccer.
• Folha de S.Paulo – Esporte
  The sports section of Folha de S.Paulo offers broad coverage and in-depth analysis of various sports, including soccer. The platform covers both national and international topics.
• Gazeta Esportiva
  Gazeta Esportiva is a website dedicated to sports news, with a special focus on soccer. It offers up-to-date news, tactical analysis, and interviews with players and coaches.

Frequently Asked Questions: Soccer in Portuguese