Paulinho, attacked for his religion: “You will never be like Neymar”

The front Paulinho He suffered humiliation on social media for being a believer in Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion, after his debut with the Brazilian team.

‘Pichichi’ of the Brazilian League

Paulinhoplayer of Atlético Mineiro and currently leading the scoring classification of the Brazilian League, has always shown his faith and came to celebrate his first call to Brazil giving thanks to Eshu, one of the main orishas.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he celebrated a goal by simulating shooting an arrow, a gesture associated with the orisha Oshosi, god of hunting, where Paulinho Oh son’.

Debut with a loss against Colombia

But after debuting in the senior team of Brazilin a 2-1 loss against Colombia this Thursday in Barranquilla, his social network account ‘x‘He was filled with irony about his beliefs and messages where he was belittled by comparing him to other footballers who show their faith in Jesus Christ.

“You will never look like Neymar,” said one user who published a photo of Neymar wearing a ribbon with the slogan “100% Jesus.”

He Atlético Mineirohis team, expressed their support in a message in which he recalled that religious intolerance is a crime “and must be fought by all.”

“El Galo strongly rejects the attacks directed at our player Paulinho, on social networks, against the Brazilian team. Strength, Paulinho. May your faith protect you from the evil of others !” said the statement.

Religions of African origin, such as Candomblé and Umbanda, are a minority in Brazil and they are practiced by about 2% of the population, according to recent surveys.

These religions, first practiced by slaves during colonial times, were banned and persecuted until the mid-20th century.

Currently, almost half of the complaints of religious intolerance registered in Brazil They were presented by the Candomblé and Umbanda faithful, according to official data.