Estádio José Ribeiro

The stadium in Itapororoca does not pretend to be anything other than what it is: a place for football in a small town in Paraíba.

What matters here is the timing of the work being done. The city hall is carrying out renovations right now, adapting the venue to meet the requirements of the Federação Paraibana de Futebol for the second division. Atlético Santa Rita, a club nicknamed "Tigre", plays its home matches here and the upgrades are meant to keep them in the competition.

The old name, Estádio Ribeirão, is still used by people in the town, though the official title is Estádio José Ribeiro.

On match days the stands take on a different shape. Festive games with former professional athletes are held here, drawing people who know the old players and the local team.

There is no grand facade or entrance gate to photograph.

Until then, the ground sits between its old identity and whatever comes next.