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13:14, 20-Sep-2018
Neymar endorses legendary Brazilian striker Romario for Rio state governor position
Updated
12:35, 23-Sep-2018
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Brazilian football star Neymar is getting involved in politics and has given his backing to former fellow international forward Romario for the gubernatorial elections scheduled for next month.
"I'm here to say I support you. To you and all those that are with you," Neymar, the Paris Saint-Germain striker, said in a message on Romario's social media channels.
Romario, who helped Brazil lift the world cup in 1994, is running for governor of his native Rio de Janeiro in the October 7 elections.
The former Barcelona forward is currently a senator from Rio.
"I hope you can improve Rio de Janeiro a lot. I go there and love this city," said Neymar, who is from Sao Paulo state.
Screenshot from Romario's social media channel
Screenshot from Romario's social media channel
It's not the first time Neymar has expressed support for a politician, he also backed center-right candidate Aecio Neves in the 2014 presidential elections.
Having retired from his playing career, for the second time, in 2009, Romario was first elected as Rio deputy in 2010 and then became a senator in 2014.
Romario during a televised debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 19, 2018./VCG Photo
Romario during a televised debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 19, 2018./VCG Photo
Having previously represented the center-right PSDB party, Romario is now standing for the centrist Podemos party.
The latest opinion poll by Ibope consultancy a week ago gave Romario 20 percent of the vote, just behind center-right candidate Eduardo Paes, with 23.
(With input from agencies)