A FIFA World Cup's viral image that has caught a lot of attention and is being debated on social media might not be one that host-nation Brazil would be proud of.
Brazil's "sporting image" has sparked serious discussions after artist Paulo Ito's mural summed up the mood in the land of the samba, prompting a battle of economic slowdown and public outrage, NDTV reported.
The exotic country is known for its magical carnivals, sprawling beaches and love for soccer.
Despite staging the world's biggest sporting extravaganza, Brazil's current state is far from the party mood.
The artwork shows a bare-chested child sitting on a table with a football to "savor" instead of a good meal. The boy's pained expression seems to have stuck a cord with the audience as the image has been shared 50,000 times on Facebook and retweeted 4,000 times on Twitter.
"While Ito says he never meant to target the Brazilian government through his creative work, the artist may well have forced authorities to take a reality-check," NDTV reported.
"And it is not the first time Ito has given an insight into the actual state of the Brazilian society. His works have previously targeted deforestation of the Amazon, safety of women and other such evils. The latest example of Ito's creativity though will reverberate through the corridors of the most stubborn political set-up in his country."
Since June 12, around 6.5 billion pounds have been spent by the country on preparations of the World Cup.
"Repeated protests against poverty, corruption and lacking public services have drilled a hole in the sturdy image that Brazil was trying to project by hosting the World Cup," according to NDTV.
"In a land where soccer is revered, artists like Ito are leading an ever-increasing number of people who want work before play, personal respect before sporting glory."
