Brazil, five-time world champion, offers the richest collection of football memorial sites on the continent. Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro is the undisputed crown jewel of any football pilgrimage. This monumental stadium on Rua Prof. Eurico Rabelo in the Maracanã district was opened in 1950 specifically for the World Cup. During the final match of the tournament, when Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1, according to various sources, between 173,000 and 199,000 spectators sat in the stands – a record that will probably never be broken. Brazilians call this defeat 'Maracanazo' and to this day it remains one of the most painful wounds in the nation's sporting memory. The stadium underwent a thorough renovation before the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, but it still retains its unique character. Today, it seats around 78,000 spectators and regularly hosts matches between Rio's biggest clubs, Flamengo and Fluminense.

São Paulo is home to two key stops on any football pilgrimage. The Football Museum is located in the historic Estádio do Pacaembu on Praça Charles Miller. It is not just a museum, but a real interactive journey through the history of Brazilian football. The exhibition includes over 1,500 exhibits, including jerseys of legends such as Pelé, Garrincha, and Ronaldo, World Cup trophies, and a multimedia presentation of the most important moments in the history of 'jogo bonito'. The museum is named after Charles Miller, a British man of Brazilian descent who brought the first ball and rules of the game to São Paulo in 1894, becoming the father of Brazilian football. The Pacaembu stadium itself, opened in 1940, is an Art Deco architectural gem that has recently undergone revitalization and now functions as the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu.

Nearby, in the Morumbi district, is MorumBIS, the São Paulo FC stadium at Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa. Opened in 1960, this impressive venue can seat around 67,000 spectators and is one of the largest privately owned stadiums in Brazil. The name 'MorumBIS' is a play on words combining the name of the district with the Italian 'bis' meaning 'encore' or 'repeat', referring to the club's second stadium. It was here in 2005 that Liverpool won the Champions Cup, defeating AC Milan in the famous penalty shootout final. The stadium offers tours where you can see the locker rooms, the tunnel leading to the pitch, and the club museum documenting the history of the club's three World Cup victories.

Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte is another icon of Brazilian football. Its full name is Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, but everyone knows it simply as Mineirão. Opened in 1965, the stadium on Avenida Antônio Abrahão Caram can now seat 62,000 spectators. It was here, during the 2014 World Cup, that one of the most shocking matches in football history was played – the semi-final in which Germany crushed Brazil 7-1. For Brazilians, this trauma is comparable only to the Maracanazo of 1950. The stadium is home to the two biggest clubs in Minas Gerais – Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro – and offers fascinating tours during which guides talk not only about the glory but also about the pain associated with this place.

Montevideo, Uruguay, is the birthplace of professional South American soccer. Estadio Centenario on Avenida Dr. Américo Ricaldoni is not just a stadium – it is a living monument to history. Opened on July 18, 1930, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Uruguay's independence, it was the main arena of the first ever FIFA World Cup. In the final of that tournament, played on July 30, 1930, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in front of a crowd of 68,000, becoming the first world champion. Designed by architect Juan Scasso, the stadium can now seat around 60,000 spectators and is still Uruguay's main national arena. In 1983, FIFA recognized Estadio Centenario as a 'Historic Monument of World Football' – the only stadium in the world to receive this prestigious title.

The basement of the stadium houses the Football Museum, the official museum of the Uruguayan Football Association. The exhibition documents the golden age of Uruguayan football, when this small country dominated the international arena, winning two World Cups (1930, 1950) and two Olympic gold medals (1924, 1928). The museum displays original trophies, including replicas of the World Cup, jerseys of legends such as José Nasazzi, Obdulio Varela, and Diego Forlán, and a fascinating collection of photographs and documents. Particularly moving is the section dedicated to the 'Maracanazo' – Uruguay's victory over Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final, which shook the world of football. For Uruguayans, it is the most important victory in the history of their national sport, while for Brazilians, it is their greatest defeat.

In Luque, a satellite city of Asunción in Paraguay, there is a real gem for lovers of South American football – the South American Football Museum, the official museum of CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation). Opened in 2016 on Avenida Sudamericana, it is the most modern football museum on the continent. The ultra-modern exhibition uses the latest multimedia technologies to tell the story of football in the ten CONMEBOL member countries. The museum displays all the Copa América trophies since the first edition in 1916, documents the history of the Copa Libertadores – the South American equivalent of the Champions League – and features rooms dedicated to the continent's greatest legends: Pelé, Maradona, Messi, and Ronaldinho.

What sets this museum apart from others? First and foremost, its interactivity. Visitors can test their skills in penalty shootout simulators, watch holographic projections of legendary goals, and participate in virtual matches. The museum also has an impressive collection of over 2,000 match jerseys, including those from the most important matches in the history of South American football. Particularly fascinating is the 'Sala de la Gloria' – a space dedicated to the 100 greatest footballers in the history of the continent, selected by a panel of CONMEBOL experts. Each of the selected players has their own multimedia presentation with the most important moments of their career. The museum is open to visitors and is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand why soccer is so fundamental to South American identity.

Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, Bolivia, is one of the most extreme sports venues in the world. Located at an altitude of 3,637 meters above sea level at Plaza del Estadio, it is the highest international stadium on the planet. Opened in 1930 and named after the Bolivian president, the stadium can seat around 41,000 spectators. Playing here is a real challenge for visiting teams – the thin air causes faster fatigue, the ball flies differently, and acclimatization takes days. The Bolivian national team takes advantage of this, regularly defeating much better teams at their home stadium. In 2007, FIFA attempted to ban international matches above 2,500 meters, which sparked huge controversy and protests in Bolivia. Ultimately, the ban was lifted, and Hernando Siles remained one of the most daunting venues for visiting teams in world football.

Estadio Nacional de Chile in Santiago, located on Avenida Grecia in the Ñuñoa district, is a place with a dramatic history that goes beyond sport. Opened in 1938, the stadium was the main venue for the 1962 World Cup, which Chile hosted just two years after a devastating earthquake. It can seat around 48,000 spectators and is home to the Chilean national team. However, the darkest chapter in the stadium's history came after Pinochet's coup in 1973, when the facility was converted into a camp for political prisoners. Thousands of people were detained and tortured here, and many lost their lives. Today, a memorial at the stadium serves as a reminder of these tragic events. After a thorough renovation ahead of the 2015 Copa América, the stadium has returned to its former glory, but the memory of its dark past remains an important part of its identity.

Estádio do Arruda in Recife, in northeastern Brazil, on Avenida Beberibe, is home to Santa Cruz Futebol Clube, one of the oldest clubs in the country, founded in 1914. Opened in 1972, the stadium seats around 60,000 spectators and is known for having one of the most passionate atmospheres in Brazilian football. Santa Cruz fans, known as 'Tricolores', are famous for their fanatical devotion and for creating an incredible atmosphere during matches. The stadium is located in the Arruda district, a traditional working-class part of the city where football is an integral part of the local culture. Although Santa Cruz is not one of Brazil's biggest clubs, their stadium and the atmosphere in the stands make a visit here an authentic Brazilian football experience away from the tourist trails.

MorumBIS in São Paulo deserves special attention not only because of its size, but also because of the unique history of its construction. The stadium was built over 10 years with funds raised from fans and club members – a truly grassroots project that united the São Paulo FC community. Today, the facility at Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa offers not only matches but also museum tours showcasing the rich history of the club, which has won three club world championships – more than any other Brazilian team. The club museum displays trophies, jerseys of legends such as Rogério Ceni (a goalkeeper who scored 131 goals in his career!) and Raí, and documents the golden era of the 1990s, when São Paulo dominated South America.

When planning a soccer pilgrimage through South America, there are a few practical aspects to keep in mind. Most stadiums offer guided tours in various languages, although advance booking is recommended, especially for Maracanã and Estadio Centenario. Ticket prices are generally affordable, ranging from cheap at smaller venues to moderate at the largest stadiums and museums. The best time for such a trip is between April and November, when the weather is best in most regions and the league season is in full swing, giving you the chance to see a real match. The experience of a live match in South America is something that no museum can replace – the passion of the fans, the singing, the flares, and the incredible atmosphere create memories that will last a lifetime.