Former star footballer and world champion, Ronaldinho Gaúcho has joined in the Hungarian electoral campaign, backing György Gattyán and the billionaire’s Solution Movement (MeMo).
Ronaldinho believes a change is needed in Hungary, and therefore urges people to support Gattyán and his party, according to MeMo’s statement.
Ronaldinho’s joining Gattyán didn’t just come out of nowhere, as the Brazilian player is the ambassador of Teqball, a sport invented by former professional player Gábor Borsányi, computer scientist Viktor Huszár (who became MeMo’s vice-chair), and Gattyán himself.
“Dear my friends, Gyuri and Viktor, you are true examples as sports leaders. We were brought together as friends by the love of sport. I’m with you now, and fully support you. A big hug and good luck with MeMO!,” the former Ballon d’Or winner says in a video.
Gattyán’s running is still a contested debate in Hungary, although he has long been known to have political ambitions. While some argue that he only wants to somewhat clear his name from being (only) linked to the porn industry in a controversial context, others speculate about an alleged secret cooperation between Gattyán and the ruling forces in order to divide opposition voters and votes.
Although he denies any links to Fidesz, government-critical conservative Válasz Online recently showed a number of points where Gattyán’s business interests intertwine with those of “NER’s” (PM Orbán’s system of national cooperation).
Ronaldinho is not the first footballer who is backing one of the wealthiest Hungarians ahead of the upcoming elections. Lajos Détári, arguably the last Hungarian football star, also recently did so, and is going to run in Budapest’s 9th electoral district in April.
featured image: Ronaldinho promoting teqball in 2019 in Budapest; via Zsolt Szigetváry/MTI