As an analyst on beIN Sports activities for the World Cup, former Brazil worldwide and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka gave his perception on how Brazilian footballers will be extra revered in Europe than they’re of their dwelling nation. As an instance his level, he used the instance of Ronaldo Nazario.
The previous Actual Madrid and AC Milan midfielder mentioned that being in Europe and in Qatar in the intervening time, he noticed much more respect for Ronaldo than he sees from his compatriots, regardless that he’s thought of an icon of the worldwide recreation, and Brazilian sports activities on the whole.
“It’s unusual to say this, however many Brazilians don’t help Brazil,” he mentioned. “It occurs typically. For those who see Ronaldo strolling round right here, you’ll be like: ‘Wow’, he has one thing completely different right here. In Brazil, he’s only a fats man strolling down the road.” The assertion was met by a spherical of laughter by the panellists, which included Gary Neville and John Terry. Kaka additional went on to make clear what he meant.
“After all, many Brazilians love Ronaldo, I really like Ronaldo,” he added. “(However) the best way he’s revered in Brazil and overseas is completely different, I see extra respect for him exterior the nation than there.”
To make his level, he additionally gave the instance of Neymar, who regardless of being the largest worldwide celebrity of the present Brazilian group, is seen fairly negatively by the folks of Brazil. “On this second proper now, lots of people in Brazil are speaking about Neymar, however in a nasty approach,” he mentioned. “It’s unusual.” When requested if Neymar’s political opinions could possibly be the rationale, he replied: “Possibly, perhaps it could possibly be for political causes. However we, as Brazilians, don’t at all times recognise expertise.”
Neymar has been one of many top-performing gamers for Brazil’s nationwide group within the current previous, however his political opinions – particularly his public sponsorship of former president Jair Bolsonaro – have made him an extremely divisive determine for the Selecao. Regardless that he could possibly be key to Brazil’s success on the World Cup now, after recovering from an ankle harm, there’s a view in Brazil, as Kaka talked about, that he might not be heralded in the identical breath as Pele, Ronaldo, Romario, and different nationwide icons.
‘In Brazil, Ronaldo Nazario is seen as only a fats man strolling down the road’ – Kaka on Brazilian footballers being extra fashionable overseas
![‘In Brazil, Ronaldo Nazario is seen as only a fats man strolling down the road’ – Kaka on Brazilian footballers being extra fashionable overseas 6 ‘In Brazil, Ronaldo Nazario is seen as just a fat man walking down the street’ – Kaka on Brazilian footballers being more popular abroad](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/‘In-Brazil-Ronaldo-Nazario-is-seen-as-just-a-fat.jpg?resize=860%2C478&ssl=1)