ABSTRACT
The life experience of some soccer players is very similar to the way the life of Vincent Van Gogh unfolded. Manuel Francisco dos Santos, better known in Brazil as Garrincha, practised as destructive lifestyle as the famous Dutch painter. Consequently, Van Gogh and Garrincha both died before they reached middle age. Their respective arts and skills became more appreciated, perhaps even worshiped, after their deaths. Some other soccer players like David Beckham have outshined even the great Pelé, achieving idol status on and off the field worldwide. The Englishman even succeeded in doing what the most famous Brazilian failed to do in the 1970s: popularizing soccer in the country of American football. Finally, talented players such as Paul Gascoigne, who became a star too early, ended their careers in disgrace. Gascoigne fell from his pedestal of soccer star as a result of his difficult and destructive character.
