Jairzinho Discusses World Cup Goal Scorers Project

Photographer Michael Donald embarked on a four-year project in 2007 to photograph the 58 individuals who had scored in a World Cup final, with the aim of capturing portraits of the 34 living players. The project, initially conceived as a book, evolved into a documentary film opportunity that allowed Donald to travel to 13 countries and interview each member of this exclusive club. Donald shared an anecdote about his encounter with Brazilian football legend Jairzinho, who now works with children in Rio's favelas. During a visit, Donald requested an additional 10 minutes for photography, only to be confronted by a man who had drawn a gun on his crew. This incident highlights the challenging circumstances that can arise during such a project.

The universal appeal of football, where a goal is a goal regardless of the scale of the match, initially drew Donald to the sport. However, his fascination with the rarity of scoring in a World Cup final spurred the photographic endeavor. The logistical challenges of reaching players across Europe and South America were significant, but the film producer's involvement provided the necessary resources for travel and interviews. Donald successfully interviewed and photographed all the living World Cup final goal scorers, creating a unique collection of portraits and stories from an elite group of athletes. The project underscores the intersection of sports history, portrait photography, and documentary filmmaking, capturing a specific moment in time for a select group of football legends.