Sport: 96-year-old fan has been decorating the streets for more than 10 World Cups in Juiz de Fora Leônio Soares Galvão, 96 years old, closely followed all five of the Brazilian team's World Cup victories - 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Witness to historic moments in football, such as the defeat to Uruguay at Maracanã, in 1950, the resident of Bairro Industrial, in Juiz de Fora, has maintained a tradition for more than four decades: painting walls, posts and decorating the street where he lives every World Cup. ? Click here to follow the g1 Zona da Mata channel on WhatsApp In 2026, he repeats the ritual for the 11th consecutive World Cup. Known by his neighbors as Seu Leônio, he transforms brushes and paint into demonstrations of affection. While some collect jerseys or follow games in different ways, he makes art a neighborhood trademark. Even though he can no longer bend down to paint the floor or help install the flags, Seu Leônio continues to be responsible for the posts on Rua Augusto Mariani. This year, he opted for a standardized design on all of them, keeping alive a tradition that began in the 1982 World Cup. "What's difficult is painting the sixth star. Everyone wants to win, but there's no way. If we lose too, in the next World Cup we'll be here, painting, decorating, decorating, the same way." Born in Maceió (AL), Leônio lived in Pernambuco, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro before settling in Juiz de Fora, where he worked with glass art. It was in the city of Minas Gerais that he began decorating the streets during the World Cups. Leônio Soares Gallvão is 96 years old, has seen all the titles in Brazil and has been decorating streets since 1982 Bruno Ribeiro/ge According to him, the idea came about when the installation of poles by the energy company changed the landscape of the neighborhood. "When I got here, the streets didn't have poles. After they were installed, I started painting the poles and curbs. Then the crowd got excited too and followed me. I started the movement", he recalled. His son, Fabiano Galvão, says that the first major mobilization took place in 1982, fueled by enthusiasm for the selection of Zico, Sócrates and Falcão. "It was the year in which people decorated the streets the most. My father took charge of everything. We painted the entire street, and the lampposts were his responsibility. That's where this tradition began." Seu Leônio's family poses for a photo on Rua Augusto Mariani, in the Industrial neighborhood, in Juiz de Fora Bruno Ribeiro/ge Memories of all World Cup winners Born in 1930, Seu Leônio saw Brazil win five world titles, but also witnessed some of the team's biggest frustrations. The most memorable memory is the 1950 World Cup final, when he was at Maracanã and saw Uruguay win 2-1 in front of almost 200,000 fans. "It was a huge sadness. Everyone was crying, not knowing where they were going. When people ask me which was worse, the 1950 World Cup or the 7-1 against Germany, I have no doubt: the 1950 one hurt a lot more." Despite the disappointments, he says that his passion for the national team never diminished. On the contrary. Rua Augusto Mariani, where Seu Leõnio lives, is decorated for the World Cup Bruno Ribeiro/ge This year, the street decoration took on an even more special meaning. The Industrial Neighborhood was one of the most affected by the floods that hit Juiz de Fora at the end of February 2026, but, according to Seu Leônio, the residents made a point of maintaining the tradition. "People are excited. It's beautiful to see this union. After so much sadness, no one got discouraged." Now, he is already making plans for the next World Cup. In 2030, when he hopes to paint the street again, Seu Leônio will be 100 years old. "The greatest pride is seeing his joy. My father was never a fan of the club, but he always had a huge love for the Brazilian team and believes that it can be champion", said his son, Fabiano. READ ALSO: Residents paint a street that was destroyed by rain in Juiz de Fora for the World Cup Motoboy from Juiz de Fora goes viral with 'motovlog' and exchanges rain records for streets decorated for the World Cup VIDEOS: see everything about Zona da Mata and Campos das Vertentes