Bolsonaro camp plays up Neymar video as Brazil election nears

Football superstar Neymar has been swept up in Brazil's presidential election campaign after posting a video on social media thanking far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for visiting the player's charitable children's foundation.

The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil striker did not get into politics in the brief message to Bolsonaro, posted four days out from Sunday's voting.

But that did not stop Bolsonaro's camp on Wednesday from playing up the video from one of the country's biggest stars as the far-right incumbent seeks a come-from-behind win against leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010), who leads in the polls.

"Hello, President Bolsonaro ... I wanted to thank you for your illustrious visit," Neymar, 30, said on Instagram.

"I would have loved to be there with you, but unfortunately I'm too far away ... I hope you enjoyed your visit to the institute, which is the greatest goal of my life."

Neymar da Silva Santos, the player's father and agent, also celebrated Bolsonaro's visit on his social media channels.

Communications Minister Fabio Faria and Bolsonaro's senator son Flavio promptly reposted the video on Twitter.

Bolsonaro said that Neymar's institute “is a reference for all of Brazil."

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Neymar re-supporting Bolsonaro?

The Brazilian president arrived at the Neymar Jr Institute, outside Sao Paulo, after riding a motorcycle alongside supporters.

The charitable foundation the football star founded in 2014 runs educational, cultural and sports programmes for 3,000 underprivileged children in the southeastern city of Praia Grande, where Neymar grew up.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Neymar had suggested on his social media channels he was withdrawing his support for Bolsonaro, who is unvaccinated and proudly flouted health protocols as the disease spread. 

More than 680,000 people died due to the virus in the South American country.

Bolsonaro backers have adopted the yellow-and-green jersey of Brazil's national team as a symbol of support for the president, along with the Brazilian flag.

"Let's all go yellow and green with the national team's jersey to vote for our captain Sunday!" Faria tweeted.

READ MORE: Bolsonaro backer 'axes' Lula fan to death as Brazil election nears