October 23 – With a week to go until the decisive second round in the Brazilian presidential elections, Neymar has thrown his weight behind the far-right sitting president Jair Bolsonaro, saying he will dedicate his first goal at the World Cup to the incumbent.
It is not a secret that Neymar, a PSG and Brazil star, supports Bolsonaro, a right-wing president who has become infamous for his homophobia, misogyny and bungling of the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the weekend the player reaffirmed his backing by appearing in a live social media event for Bolsonaro and chatting to the president.
“What motivated me to express my opinion are the values that the President represents, they are the same as mine, those of my family. He defends the people, the children, the family,” said Neymar. “
It’s important to take a stand. I call on those who hesitate to do so. It’s a right, it’s important to express your values. I’m proud to do that.”
Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) who is running against Bolsonaro, had previously accused Neymar of supporting him because the president had supposedly forgiven the player’s income tax debt. Neymar has been criticised for his support of Bolsonaro, who has made Brazil an international pariah over increased deforestation of the Amazon.
The PSG forward recently appeared on a TikTok video singing Bolsonaro’s campaign jingle in which he lip synchs, “Vote, vote, and press ‘confirm’ for 22, that’s Bolsonaro”, in reference to the Brazil president’s official ballot number.
Bolsonaro had also visited the footballer’s non-profit organisation, Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr, in the state of Sao Paulo.
In an interview with the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, Brazil coach Tite said on Sunday that whatever the result at the World Cup in Qatar, he won’t go to Brasilia at the end of the tournament. It’s traditional for Brazil coaches to meet with the president before departure to the World Cup or at least to celebrate a world title at the Planalto.
Next Sunday, Brazilians have to choose between the incumbent Bolsonaro or left-wing candidate Lula in what will be a history-defining election in the country.
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