Brazilian football star Neymar Jr has publicly expressed support for presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil’s decisive presidential runoff, drawing widespread attention after posting a message referencing the senator’s electoral number on social media.
The Santos forward made his latest statement on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by commenting on an Instagram video shared by Brazilian singer MC Cabelinho. The video criticised Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, but Neymar responded with the words, “Dito isso… 22”, accompanied by laughing and Brazilian flag emojis.
The number 22 is associated with the Liberal Party (PL), which Flávio Bolsonaro represents in the presidential election. Neymar’s comment was widely interpreted as an endorsement of the senator’s candidacy ahead of Sunday’s second-round vote.
The reaction quickly attracted attention online, turning the footballer’s political preference into a major talking point during the final days of the campaign.
Neymar’s position became even more apparent on Friday, October 23, when federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira shared a video featuring the footballer. In the clip, Ferreira jokingly referred to Neymar’s former Barcelona shirt number, 11, before asking him what 11 plus 11 equals.
Neymar responded with the number 22, reinforcing the political message through what appeared to be a light-hearted exchange. Ferreira captioned the video with a suggestion that they were discussing football rather than politics, although the reference to the candidate’s electoral number was widely understood.
The latest developments have reinforced Neymar’s association with the Bolsonaro political family, which dates back several years.
During Brazil’s 2022 presidential election, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward publicly supported Jair Bolsonaro, who was seeking re-election against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro ultimately lost that contest to Lula.
Neymar’s latest intervention comes as Flávio Bolsonaro prepares to face Lula in the second round of Brazil’s 2026 presidential election, scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
The contest has attracted considerable national and international attention, with both candidates seeking support from voters ahead of the final decision. Public endorsements from celebrities, athletes and entertainers have become part of the wider campaign conversation, although their influence on voting behaviour is difficult to establish.
Neymar remains one of Brazil’s most recognisable sporting figures, having built an international reputation through his performances for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. He currently plays for Santos, the club where his professional career began.
His popularity extends well beyond football, giving his public statements considerable visibility across Brazil and among supporters worldwide. Consequently, his decision to make his political preference more explicit has attracted attention from both sports and political audiences.
However, Neymar’s personal endorsement should not be interpreted as an official position by Santos or any of the clubs he has represented. His comments reflect his own political preference rather than an institutional endorsement.
The footballer’s latest statements also highlight the increasingly visible intersection between sport, celebrity culture and electoral politics in Brazil. Athletes with large social media followings can bring additional attention to political debates, even though the extent to which such endorsements affect election outcomes remains uncertain.
With the presidential runoff approaching, Neymar’s public support adds another high-profile voice to the campaign surrounding Flávio Bolsonaro.
The final decision, however, rests with Brazilian voters, who will determine the country’s next president when polls close on Sunday.
