As the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, there's a whole lot of opposition about – from subway strikes to people pelting the ITV studio with rocks, to mounting protests amid allegations of corruption, police brutality and the simple fact that hosting the World Cup is costing Brazil $11-20bn (£6.5-11bn). In a recent survey, 60 per cent of Brazilians said their country shouldn't be hosting the football tournament.
However, there's a bit of lightness within all the anger, as it emerges that some boys from a favela sneaked into the England squad's hotel and got a load of selfies with some of the biggest players – Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Danny Welbeck, Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere. The resourceful chap even got a photo with the team's manager, Roy Hodgson.
Abraao Paiva de Mesquita, 18, got past police, army troops and security staff at Rio De Janeiro's Royal Tulip hotel using an out-of-date room keycard he'd found on the street. He revealed: 'I learned a bit of English before I arrived. I just said: "Photo, I and you," and they would oblige.'
He even got goalie Joe Hart to hand over his T-shirt with a very simple demand. He explained: 'When Joe Hart passed by, I said: "Give me your shirt. I am your fan."'
Albraao made his entry into the hotel not once, but twice, as he spent two days running visiting the hotel's swimming pool where the squad were relaxing. Abraao, who lives in Rocinha, described by The Mirror as a 'violent favela', bragged about how easy it was to get into the hotel: 'It was simple. I just walked in and said I was a guest, and waved the magnetic room card that I'd found one day on the street. I went straight past the hotel reception ,no questions asked, just saying good afternoon to people along the way.'
Lucky for the England squad that so many Brazilians hate the football. Iagine how many fans would be sneaking into their hotel if people actually wanted them around?
BTW, in case World Cup fever hasn't hit your house yet, England's first match, against Italy, kicks off at 11pm UK time on Saturday 14 June. So it will.
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.