Here’s Brazil ‘s version of the American Dream: the poor, surrounded by drugs, gang violence, and state corruption, look to futebol as their ticket out of the favelas, or slums. Of course, very, very few make it. Adriano Leite Ribeiro, known to the world as Adriano, is one of those who made it, coming from the dusty fields of Vila Cruzeiro. “We have a lot of Adrianos around here,” said Sandra Vieira, who runs the community center that includes the soccer field. “There is so much talent in Vila Cruzeiro that we could field a national team here alone.” Ronaldo Luiz Nazario (Ronaldo) and Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (Ronaldinho) are others who emerged from poor and working-class areas of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil’s biggest cities. Brazilians know all about the humble beginnings of their heroes, and many hold onto soccer as a way to a better life, if not stardom. In fact, most of the 23 players on Brazil’s team came from similar backgrounds, growing up in some of the world’s roughest neighborhoods. Their combined worth is $520 million, just two of the 23 play professionally in Brazil. Each year, Brazil exports dozens of players to play soccer in Europe. Ronaldinho, the best player in the world and the game’s highest paid player, earns $30 million per year through endorsements and as a player for Spanish and European champion Barcelona. By contrast, the average wage in Brazil is $160 a month. For the millions in Brazil who remain poor, they find refuge in the success of their national team, indisputably the best in the world for the last 50 years.