The incident occurred during riots by supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, protesting his 2022 election loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Thousands of protesters stormed the Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential palace, causing significant damage. The ball, signed by Neymar and gifted by Santos FC in 2012, was on display in the congressional hallway and was taken during the chaos.
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The soccer ball signed by Neymar. Photo: Correiodobrasil |
The soccer ball signed by Neymar. Photo: Correiodobrasil
The 34-year-old businessman, Nelson Ribeiro Fonseca Junior, was accused of attempted coup, violent subversion of democracy, aggravated property damage, armed criminal conspiracy, and destruction of protected cultural heritage, in addition to the theft.
Fonseca admitted to taking the ball. However, he claimed he picked it up from the ground to preserve it and turned it over to the police about three weeks later.
The court rejected this defense. Presiding Judge Alexandre de Moraes stated that Fonseca actively participated in the violence against the heart of Brazilian democracy. He noted that the ball was "public property belonging to the common heritage," making its theft a crime against the community.
This ruling is part of a series of trials for over 500 people convicted of participating in the January 8, 2023 events, described as a coup attempt to undermine the results of a democratic election.
In addition to the prison sentence, Fonseca must pay a portion of the collective moral damages, approximately 5 million USD, shared among all those convicted in the January 2023 events. The court rejected the defense's request for acquittal, stating that the case had been handled according to due process.
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Neymar celebrates a goal during Santos' 2-0 victory over Bragantino at Urbano Caldeira Stadium, Santos, Brazil on 2/3. Photo: CNN Brazil |
Neymar celebrates a goal during Santos' 2-0 victory over Bragantino at Urbano Caldeira Stadium, Santos, Brazil on 2/3. Photo: CNN Brazil
Neymar has been a top Brazilian soccer star for over a decade. He developed in Santos' youth academy before scoring 136 goals in 225 appearances for the first team from 2009-2013.
In Europe, the Brazilian forward continued to shine with Barcelona, scoring 105 goals in 186 games, winning a Champions League title and two La Liga titles. In 2017, he set a transfer record of 263 million USD when he joined PSG. In France, the 33-year-old added 118 goals in 173 games and won 13 titles.
In 2023, Neymar moved to Al Hilal. However, in October of the same year, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Brazilian national team. The injury sidelined him for over a year, preventing him from completing his contract. In early 2025, after terminating his contract with Al Hilal, the 33-year-old returned to Santos, scoring three goals in 12 games.
Hong Duy (Okaz)
