During the NFL regular season matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, singer Ricky Martin and Brazilian artist Pedro Sampaio delivered a halftime performance that drew widespread attention across social media platforms on Sept. 27. Broadcast via CBS, the event preceded the MTV Video Music Awards, which aired live later that evening from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Halftime Performance Highlights in Rio de Janeiro
The musical segment featured Martin and Sampaio performing on a staircase illuminated in the green and yellow colors of the Brazilian flag. During the routine, the artists invited members of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad onto the stage to dance alongside backup dancers dressed in white. The performance included a rendition of Martin’s hit song “Livin’ la Vida Loca” alongside the debut of their collaborative track titled “Pikito, Pikito,” a slang term translating to a quick kiss. During the routine, Sampaio delivered a light kiss to Martin’s cheek.
Social Media Reaction and Viewer Response
Social media users flooded online platforms with commentary regarding the crossover between the league fixture and the entertainment industry. Some viewers questioned the scheduling overlap on social platforms, with one user writing, “Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio are on the NFL, but not the MTV Video Music Awards?” Another commenter praised the production, stating, “What an incredible halftime show for the NFL game in Rio with Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio! A good fusion of pop, funk carioca, and Latin rhythms!” Conversely, the performance also drew criticism from viewers questioning the integration of entertainment into a sporting event, with one individual posting, “The weirdest halftime show ever! What the heck is going on?! This is football!”
Prior MTV Video Music Awards Recognition
The halftime appearance followed Martin’s previous recognition at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, 2025, held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. At that ceremony, Martin accepted the inaugural Latin Icon Award, presented by reggaeton artist J Balvin and singer Jessica Simpson, who noted her history as an opening act on Martin’s 1999 tour. During his acceptance speech, Martin addressed the audience, stating, “I am addicted to your applause. That’s why I keep coming back. It is you, not only here in the United States, but all over the world. Thank you so much because it’s been 40 years. I started when I was a baby, and here we are. We just want to unite countries. We just want to break barriers. We just want to keep music alive.”
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