By florida 
I had always heard people talk about José Pinheiro Borda Stadium, saying it was one of the most historic stadiums in Rio Grande do Sul. But I had never been there. That day, I decided to go and see it for myself. I took the bus early in the morning, thinking, “It’s just a place to play soccer, right?”As it turned out, this trip completely changed my mind.
After buying a ticket and walking through the main gate, I was stunned at first glance. The place looked so old, with chunks of cement falling off the walls and rusty iron railings. It didn’t feel like a shiny new stadium at all. Instead, it looked like an old building forgotten by time.
The tour guide, Marcos, was very enthusiastic. He waved his hand and said, “Welcome to a piece of history!” Then he led us inside. At that moment, I really felt like I wasn’t visiting a soccer field, but had traveled back in time.
Our first stop was the home team’s locker room. When we opened the door, we were hit by a damp smell, mixed with the odor of old wood and sweat.The metal lockers inside were large and old, and the doors didn’t close properly.
The tour guide said that during the conflict in 1989, fans hid here for shelter, and these lockers were used to block the doors. Even more frightening was that there were bullet holes near the ventilation openings on the wall. I couldn’t believe it was real, but it certainly looked like bullet holes.
When I walked into the tunnel where the players enter the field, I could clearly feel the temperature change. Even though it was noon, it was as cold as if the air conditioning was on. The tour guide said that 37 players had heard strange noises here, like spectators chanting, but there was no one in the stadium at the time.
I stood there for a few seconds and didn’t hear anything, but the atmosphere made me want to leave.
What made me laugh out loud was the grass near the north goal. The tour guide said that the grass there grows particularly slowly because a goalkeeper in the 1970s often urinated there, and the soil was damaged by urine.
Although it sounds a little disgusting, it’s quite true. In the past, there were no special restrooms, so players may have done that when they were in a hurry.
Another interesting thing: the seats in this stadium are narrower than they are now. It’s not because they were poor, but because the designers did it on purpose. They wanted the fans to sit closer together so they could cheer together during the game and create a more lively atmosphere.
Looking at it now, this design does make watching the game feel more “collective,” but it’s really uncomfortable to sit in for a long time.
When I visited the middle of the field, I couldn’t help but take a small soccer ball out of my bag and kick it gently. The grass was soft and a little squishy, like stepping on wet sponge.
Imagine 50,000 people shouting and jumping here, the concrete steps shaking up and down… Just thinking about it is exciting.
The entire stadium is in average condition. The ground is uneven in some places, and the edges of the stairs are worn smooth. But when we visited, we could still feel the weight of history. Every brick and every pillar seemed to be telling a story.
It’s not as clean and bright as a modern stadium, but that’s what gives it its charm.
Finally, we went to the small museum in the stadium. It displayed old jerseys, old trophies, and photos of games. The souvenir shop didn’t have much to offer, but the most unique item was a small plastic trophy filled with dust from the stadium.
It sounds strange, but I bought one anyway. Not because it was particularly beautiful, but because I felt it represented the authenticity of this place.
This visit made me realize that some stadiums are not just for playing games. They record the emotions, conflicts, and passion of a city. Although the facilities are old, walking is tiring, and my shoes were worn out, it was worth the trip.
If you like history and don’t mind getting dirty or tired, this place is perfect for you. But if you just want to see a beautiful stadium, then maybe skip it.