Soccer superstar Neymar Jr. has stirred a wave of backlash after sharing a photo on Instagram where he is seen wearing a retro jersey of FC St. Pauli, a Bundesliga club known for its anti-fascist stance. The picture, which he posted to his 230 million followers, features Neymar greeting fans with a casual "Sextou," a Brazilian expression that translates roughly to "finally the weekend." However, the choice of attire has sparked outrage among many soccer fans and social media users who criticize the athlete for his past support of controversial Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, particularly during the 2022 election.
Critics have not held back their opinions on Neymar’s social media post. One user accused him of supporting a "fascist" by backing Bolsonaro during the elections, commenting with an emoji that expressed disappointment. Others expressed disbelief, suggesting that Neymar might not fully understand the deeper implications of wearing the FC St. Pauli jersey, which represents a different ideological world view. One comment lampshaded Neymar’s lack of awareness about the dangers of fascism, questioning if he understands the term at all.
These sentiments are echoed across numerous responses, many highlighting the cultural disparity between Neymar's celebrity persona and the values of FC St. Pauli. A common reaction poses the question: does Neymar really know what he is promoting by wearing the club’s colors? While Neymar appears oblivious to the club's iconic stance against fascism, one individual pointedly questioned his past legal issues, referring to a 2019 rape allegation that was subsequently dismissed due to lack of evidence, hinting that his past controversies add another layer to his actions.
The backlash against Neymar comes as the FC St. Pauli team is gearing up for a challenging match against FC Bayern Munich. As of March 24, 2025, the Kiezkicker have resumed preparations after a three-day break, focusing on intense ball work and varied game formats under head coach Alexander Blessin. Celebrating his birthday on the same day is Andreas Albers, who was treated to a cheerful serenade from teammates.
In better news for the fans, Morgan Guilavogui, who had sustained an ankle injury in early February, resumed training with the team, completing passing drills before undertaking personalized activities with fellow teammate Karol Mets.
Meanwhile, the FC St. Pauli women’s team is making headlines of its own, having advanced to the semi-finals of the Hamburger LOTTO Pokal. They are set to face Walddörfer SV on March 26, aiming to reach the final for the third consecutive time. Unfortunately, last week, they faced a setback in a test match against Viktoria Berlin, losing 1-6.
In addition to the women’s achievements, the club is also hosting tryouts for its junior teams, including U13, U15, and U17, planned for April 25, giving young soccer talents a chance to join the club’s esteemed ranks. Also happening soon is the FC St. Pauli rugby team’s opening match of the Bundesliga season against Hannover 78 at home on March 29, marking the return of competitive rugby after a four-month winter break.
Despite the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the club’s various teams, Neymar's controversial decision to don the St. Pauli jersey has raised uncomfortable questions about the intersection of sports, ideology, and personal branding. With FC St. Pauli known for its left-leaning political stance and anti-fascist foundation, Neymar's decisions seem to clash horrendously with the club's core principles. How will this rift affect both Neymar's fans and the club's reputation remains to be seen, but for now, the player is at the center of a significant social media storm.
The intersection of sports and politics continues to perplex fans worldwide, and Neymar’s mishap serves as a reminder of the complexities athletes face when their personal and public personas collide. As the Kiezkicker prepare for their match against Bayern Munich, they aim for victory both on and off the pitch while grappling with the evolving narrative that surrounds their club.
