When it comes to love for Vasco, 31-year-old Bruna has a flawless résumé: she was born a Vasco fan and went home as a baby already wearing the club's jersey. As an adult, she tattooed São Januário on her skin, created fan projects for female supporters, and even “converted” the children in her family to support Vasco.
"I always say there's no Bruna without Vasco. Being Vasco is living Vasco! There's no rational explanation. People ask me when I’m going to ‘stop with all this,’ and I calmly respond: never," she says.
To celebrate all this passion, Betfair prepared a special experience: Bruna got to watch a Vasco match from a VIP box, visit behind-the-scenes areas of São Januário, reunite with friends she made during her journey as a Vasco fan, and of course, get emotional.
"Collecting memories with Vasco is very important to my life story because of everything the team means to me. Experiencing this with my boyfriend was really special. I think this initiative is crucial to bring fans closer to the club, so I’m very grateful for everything Betfair did and for choosing me to take part in it. It was truly incredible. I’ll carry this experience with me forever," she adds.
In addition to following Vasco on the pitch, Bruna has also made her mark off it: she was the announcer for the starting lineup on Women’s Day in 2023 and created the page Minas da Colina to give voice to female supporters.
Recently, she presented a final university project (TCC) in podcast format aimed at Vasco's female fan base. “Working at Vasco was the best experience of my life—it was full of purpose. Every day, I gave it my all,” she says.
Proud of her devotion to the Rio club, Bruna has eternalized her love with three tattoos. “I inspired my family to do the same—my mom and dad also have the Maltese Cross inked. Besides that, I have São Januário and the word 'Vasco' tattooed on me, as symbols of a passion that’s with me every day.”
In 2018, she became a godmother for the first time—to Bernardo—and made sure to introduce him to the Vasco universe early on. Currently, six children in her family support Vasco, including two who live in the United States. For Bruna, being a Vasco fan is much more than watching a game—it’s about living a culture.
"It’s about arriving early at São Januário, meeting friends at the Barreira, singing, having a little BBQ, and enjoying the samba. A Vasco game is a cultural event. Barreira is a meeting point—it’s party and resistance. We’re proud of that. Only Vasco fans understand. When you meet another Vasco fan, it’s like seeing an old friend. You look, smile, and already know there’s a shared story there," says the journalist.
And it was there that Bruna met Matheus, also a journalist and fellow Vasco lover. Their first meeting, during a match against Madureira, wasn’t planned—but it changed everything. Since then, the couple hasn’t been apart. They’ve traveled together to follow the team, exchanged rings engraved with the Maltese Cross, and started building a life guided by their shared love for the club.
"I want our child to be baptized at São Januário, wear the kit from the cradle, and grow up living this passion that transcends generations," she dreams.
Bruna's connection with Vasco turns every match into a spectacle of emotion. "When the ball rolls, something magical happens—the stands become one giant lung. The fans sing with their soul and heart. It’s a burst of emotion that gives you goosebumps, that echoes, that transforms São Januário into a temple. The pride we feel singing every chant can’t be put into words. It doesn’t matter the phase, it doesn’t matter the score. Our voice never fails. Vasco always plays with us."
The “Betfera of the Month” campaign is an initiative by Betfair, the main sponsor of Vasco and Cruzeiro, aimed at honoring fans who represent their clubs through unique stories and deep passion.
"Betfera of the Month"
Each month, during the Brazilian Championship, one fan from each club is selected to live exclusive, unforgettable experiences. The selected fans receive the title of “Betfera of the Month” and take part in special activities promoted by Betfair. The experience includes match attendance with access to the brand’s VIP box, visits to locker rooms and behind-the-scenes areas, interaction with players, and appearances in official club and sponsor content.
According to Aidan Kilcoyne, Head of Sponsorship at Betfair, the campaign aims to highlight those who truly fuel football: the fans.
"We want to give a voice to those who live for their club 24 hours a day, with stories that move and inspire. The fan is the soul of football—they sing, suffer, cheer, believe, and stay loyal regardless of the result."
"With 'Betfera of the Month', our goal is to recognize these unique journeys and create unforgettable moments for those who make their love for the club a true lifestyle. Celebrating Bruna is also celebrating all Vasco fans who carry that passion in their chest, on their skin, and in their everyday life. It’s an honor for Betfair to be part of this powerful connection between club and crowd."
The stories of those honored and the behind-the-scenes content from the experiences can be followed on the social media channels of Betfair and Vasco. You can watch the latest “Betfera of the Month” video by clicking the link.
Betfair
Betfair, one of the world’s largest online sports betting providers, is the official sponsor of Cruzeiro and Vasco da Gama.
Founded in London (UK) in 2000, the company pioneered peer-to-peer betting (Betfair Exchange) and offers a comprehensive suite of sports betting and online gaming products to over 4 million adult customers worldwide.
Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, the platform offers a vast range of products, allowing users to bet with their own odds or those offered by other users. Betfair is licensed to operate online betting and gaming in 19 countries, including Spain, Italy, Malta, and Great Britain.
Think smart. Play responsibly. Ordinance SPA/MF no. 248.
Source: GMB
