This year has been momentous for Brazil. We lost the World Cup on our own turf, yet one of our mathematicians received the highest scientific honour ever to be awarded to a Brazilian. Scientists now stand a chance of competing with footballers as role models for Brazil's youngsters.

Artur Avila, who also has French nationality, won the Fields Medal, the most prestigious prize in maths (see Nature http://doi.org/vn4; 2014). This triumph has sent a wave of motivation through students and boosted the morale of educators and scientists. Science, as well as football, can offer a route out of poverty.