The former Seleçao and Paris SG star, 1994 world champion, made the sign “Llike Lula, with his fingers at the end of his speech.
Lula, left-wing candidate for the presidential election in Brazil, thanked his compatriot and former footballer Rai on Monday for his support expressed during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, two weeks before the second round against the leader of the far-right state, Jair Bolsonaro.
“Thanks Rai, I lookedthe broadcast of the ceremony on Brazilian television, tweeted ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010).
Former star of Seleçao and Paris SG, Rai, world champion 1994, made the sign “L“, like Lula, with his fingers at the end of his speech, before presenting the Socrates Prize to Senegalese striker Sadio Mané.
This prize, awarded for the first time during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, is intended to highlight footballers involved in societal and charitable projects. Its name is a tribute to Socrates, Rai’s older brother, who died in 2011 at the age of 57.
This legendary environment of the Seleçao in the 80s was also famous for his commitment during the redemocratization of Brazil after the military dictatorship (1964-1985).
“Socrates represents ideals for a more just and humane world. It represents the values of democracy, democracy in the sense that it is a better world for all, all for a better world“, said the former midfielder of PSG on the stage of the Parisian theater of Châtelet, where the ceremony took place.
“We also think of my country which will have a decision to make at the end of the month for a better world. We all know which side Socrates would be on. We would all be behind him. It is important for Brazil and the whole world“, concluded Rai, before making with his fingers the sign “L“.
Most Brazilian footballers preferred to remain silent about their political preference at the time of this extremely polarized election. But President Bolsonaro obtained choice support, that of PSG superstar Neymar, just before the first round.
On October 2, Lula came in first with 48% of the vote, against 43% for Bolsonaro, who nevertheless obtained a score much higher than the polls forecast. The second round will take place on October 30.
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