Brazil endured a contentious election day that declared the winner Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva of presidential elections before the president Jair Bolsonaro who was seeking re-election. The still Brazilian President received the support of football figures such as neymarbut it was not enough to hold the position.
The striker of Paris Saint Germain (PSG) had an intense campaign via social media to support Bolsonaro’s re-election, he even went along with the promises and assured that he would win Qatar World Cup 2022 the one on 20.11. “Bolsonaro elected, Brazilian champion (of the World Cup in Qatar) and everyone happy,” said Neymar at the time, who also promised to dedicate a goal to him if he won the World Cup.
Neymar Jr. has already received criticism from Brazilian society and the sports world, especially from Juninho Pernambucolegend of Olympia de Lyon of France’s Ligue 1 and the team’s current sporting director, who questioned his compatriot’s stance on backing a far-right candidate.
“It makes me sick to see Brazilian right-wing players like Neymar supporting the fascists. We come from below and we are the people. How can we be on the other side?” Juninho said.
Tax evasion behind Neymar’s support for Bolsonaro
Other citizens have expressed their unease via social media with a video singing to the striker: “Neymar, you have to explain.”
And it is that Neymar backed Bolsonaro in exchange for the stay of a tax fraud investigation against him. Meanwhile, Lula da Silva has come out to dedicate some burning words to the footballer.
“Neymar has the right to elect whoever he wants to be president. I think he’s worried that if I win the election, it will be known that Bolsonaro has waived his income tax liability,” Lula said.
Neymar Jr. celebrates a goal with Brazil national team
Instagram: @neymarjr
Neymar broke the pact of the Brazil national team
Neymar’s open position on the right-wing candidate, however, did not go down well within the Brazil national team as the players agreed not to make a statement or disclose their voting intentions, according to media reports in the South American country, to avoid contributing to political polarization the days before the presidential elections in the country.
Neymar was the only player in the Brazil squad not to stick to the pact, so the rest of his teammates would be upset about the situation.
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