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Former Brazil-Sao Paulo midfielder Richarlyson said in a podcast friday that he is bisexual, a rare revelation in a country where the macho culture of football is ubiquitous.
He is the first player from the most sensible Brazilian team to claim to be bisexual.
Richarlyson, 39, played two games for Brazil in 2008. Member of the Sao Paulo team that won the 2005 Club World Cup against Liverpool. The midfielder also won 3 national titles for the club. Ricky, as enthusiasts called him, is also a member of Atlético Mineiro’s Copa Libertadores winning team in 2013.
“All my life I wondered if I was gay or not. I had relationships with men and I also had relationships with women,” Richarlyson said on the podcast broadcast via the Globo Esporte website. “I am normal, I have desires and desires. I’ve dated men, I’m dating women. So what?
“A lot of other people say it’s vital that I stand up, so I say that today. I’m bisexual. “
The former footballer and TV Globo analyst said he hadn’t spoken about his sexuality before because he believes “the world is not in a position to have this discussion and deal with this naturally. “
The only similar public case in Brazil a fourth department player in 2010; goalkeeper Messi, who played for Palmeira, a team from the interior of the city of Goianinha.
Richarlyson said he chose his career over revealing his sexuality.
“I don’t say that because I stopped playing. No, he says. I never said it because it’s not my priority. Neither is it today, but now I feel comfortable saying it. Hopefully it’s not an issue. ” I sought to communicate about my new career as an expert,” he said.
Sao Paulo asked his former player for respect on Twitter: “That same courage he shows in his life. Maximum respect for his career,” the club said, mentioning the content of the interview.
Atletico Mineiro, where Richarlyson played, has been more expansive.
“Richarlyson, thank you for recognising that Atletico is the only team you play with that has not suffered any damage,” the club said on Twitter. “Let football be a position of respect for any sexual orientation. “
The Corinthians of Sao Paulo celebrated its opening on the podcast.
Corinthians posted on Twitter: “Richarlyson is a wonderful player, a wonderful opponent on the court and a wonderful sports professional. Now, after saying he’s bisexual, he sticks with all that and presents himself as a vital voice of resistance. We have the utmost respect. “
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More AP Football: https://apnews. com/hub/soccer and https://twitter. com/AP_Sports
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