NFL-In soccer-loving Brazil, dream comes true for 'football' fans with NFL debut

By Gabriel Araujo and Leonardo Benassatto

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of cheering Brazilian fans of American-style football realized a life-long dream on Friday night, seeing in person some of the biggest stars of the sport's top pro league in its first-ever game in the South American nation.

Brazil, where soccer is king, is hosting the first regular season game for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles, as they take the field against the Green Bay Packers at Sao Paulo's Corinthians Arena.

The gridiron contest also marks the first Friday night NFL season-opener since 1970.

Nearly 45,000 people were estimated to be attending the game in Latin America's largest city, home to more than 11 million, as the NFL continues to expand its global footprint after games in Britain, Mexico and Germany in recent years.

"I always dreamed of going to a game abroad. I never thought (the NFL) would come here," said 27-year-old Packers fan Renato Rebelo, who plays the sport with local team Guarulhos Rhynos. "But it happened. And today is the day."

NFL officials have said Brazil is establishing itself as a key market for the most popular professional sports league in the United States. Still, many locals believed a game in Brazil was a remote possibility until the announcement came late last year.

In June fans quickly bought up all available tickets. On Friday they flocked to the stadium, proudly wearing jerseys of their favorite NFL teams, not just Eagles or Packers gear.

"Those of us who are here today are very lucky to have been able to buy a ticket. It's a dream come true," said 54-year-old lawyer Silvio Sampaio. "Many say it's a unique event, but after all of this I definitely think other games will happen here."

Roughly 10% of those attending are estimated to have traveled from the United States, according to NFL data flashed on the stadium's big screen before kickoff at 8:15 p.m. (2315 GMT).

"The first NFL game in Brazil," said Packers fan Carlos Roscoe, almost in disbelief, after making his way to Sao Paulo from California.

"We are here for history!"

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo and Leonardo Benassatto; Editing by David Alire Garcia and William Mallard)