Photographer Michael Donald has revealed how a portrait session with Brazil legend Jairzinho in a Rio de Janeiro favela ended with a security scare, as a local resident objected to the crew’s presence during the final moments of the shoot.
The incident occurred as Donald pursued a long-term project to photograph every living footballer who has scored in a World Cup final. He began this undertaking in 2007 after realising only 58 players had achieved the feat in the competition’s history, with just 34 still alive at that time.
The Manguinhos shoot
Donald captured the image of Jairzinho—full name Jair Ventura Filho—in the Manguinhos neighbourhood, where the former winger operates a football school for underprivileged children. The portrait was taken on a public football pitch within the shantytown, an area where police hold no jurisdiction.
Working in the favela required strict adherence to local customs. The crew had been warned that outsiders must depart by 5pm, and they had hired security from local drug lords for protection. However, by mid-afternoon these guards had departed, leaving the team exposed as the deadline approached.
As Donald prepared the final frames using a Hasselblad camera on a tripod, with his assistant providing subtle lighting, the atmosphere shifted. A man on a bicycle approached the crew members who were standing away from the camera position. The situation escalated rapidly, culminating in the individual producing a weapon and threatening the director and producer.
Despite the grave danger, the crew allowed Donald to complete the exposure. The photographer remained unaware of the confrontation until he secured his shot, at which point the team withdrew immediately from the location.
World Cup immortality
The portrait preserves the image of a player who secured his place in football history during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Jairzinho scored Brazil’s third goal in the final as Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 to claim their third title.
That tournament cemented his status among Brazil’s greats. Decades later, his return to the favelas of Rio has seen him dedicate his time to nurturing young talent in communities often overlooked by mainstream football structures.
The exclusive club
Donald’s broader project spanned four years and 13 countries, resulting in portraits of all surviving members of this exclusive group of players. The logistics proved complex, with subjects scattered across Europe and South America, requiring documentary crew support to complete.
The resulting image of Jairzinho carries particular resonance. It captures not only a World Cup hero but also the contrast between the composed subject and the chaos unfolding beyond the frame—a testament to the photographer’s focus and the player’s calm demeanour under circumstances that could have turned deadly.