From penalty box to the ballot box

– Brazilian football star Neymar is getting involved in politics and has given his backing to former fellow international forward Romario in the gubernatorial elections 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 circulating on the internet.

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 for 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.

Neymar backed centre-right candidate Aecio Neves in the 2014 presidential elections. –