RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Neymar has endorsed former Brazil international Romario in his bid to be Rio de Janeiro state governor.
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Romario’s social media channels published a video of Neymar backing him on Tuesday.
Neymar says in the video: “I hope you can make Rio better. I am a frequent visitor and I love this city.”
Romario, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and a former FIFA player of the year, is polling second behind former Rio mayor Eduardo Paes. The election for state governor is next month.
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Rio state has been in deep financial trouble since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has never lived in the state but owns a beachfront mansion in Mangaratiba, south of Rio de Janeiro city.
The 52-year-old Romario is currently a senator in Brazil’s congress. He started his political career in 2010 as a congressman, a year after he hung up his boots.