Jair BolsonaroESSed The Brazilian Football Iconic Uniform As A Political Symbol

. President Jair Bolsonaro in the medal award at the 2019 Copa America Final. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Jair Bolsonaro is a figure full of controversy. Bolsonaro's actions in his 2018 presidential election were behind him. He allowed immediately how to win. He played the issue of resistance against communism and the spread of hoaxes.

The man nicknamed the Brazilian Donald Trump also used the Brazilian 'green' soccer uniform to lock victory. Therefore, the iconic uniform, which used to be a unifying tool, turned into an anticommunist Bolsonaro political symbol.

Jair Bolsonaro's life was far from political. The man who was born on March 21, 1955, solidified his career in the Brazilian military after completing his schooling. That career made him learn many things. Mainly about injustice.

The case of small army salaries, for example. He appeared as a figure who dared to criticize the salary to the owner of the power who at that time was controlled by the regime of military dictators. As punishment, Bolsonaro was in prison for 15 days. Instead of regretting his steps, Bolsonaro even more dared to enter politics.

His popularity increased after he was released from prison. The recitation was put to good use by Bolsonaro. His move in Brazil's political world was smooth. He was successfully elected as a member of the council to the Federal Deputy Rio de Janeiro. That political career lasted quite a long time from 1989-2019.

He started thinking about new challenges. He also targets to become Brazil's number one person. The 2018 presidential election is considered the right step. In each of his campaigns, he leans towards supporting the lasting teaching of Kristen Evangelis. This means that he takes all kinds of LGBTQ+ practices.

Moreover, he proclaimed himself as a hater of gays and a major opponent of communism. He called communism's ideology an obsolete ideology that has only become a tool for left-wing politics to enrich themselves.

Another suggestion from the campaign team is to actively spread hoaxes in cyberspace. On Facebook and WhatsApp for example. The goal is none other than to reduce the electability of their opponents. People say Bolsonaro's steps are not much different from the Brazilian dictator's regime (1964-1985).

Bolsonaro was able to raise the narrative of nationalism against the idea of communism. Because communism in the world map must be eradicated. He perpetuated the hope that the state could stand on all kinds of things. As described by the slogan: Brazil is above all else. Anyone who fights it politically and must be stopped, said Vania Penha-Lopes in the book The Presidential Elections of Trump and Bolsonaro, Whiteness, and the Nation (2021).

The campaign season for the 2018 Brazilian presidential election has arrived. The presidential election raised many candidates for President and Vice President of Brazil. However, the battle that attracted a lot of attention was presented to Jair Bolsonaro and Jamilton Mourao from the Liberal Social Party (PSL) against Fernando Haddad and Manuel d'Avila from the Labor Party (PT).

Selling communism issues and spreading hoaxes to reduce the opponent's electability is a general campaign for the Jair Bolsonaro camp. Instead of being immediately satisfied, Bolsonaro and the right wing camp further tightened the campaign by daring to adopt Brazilian football uniforms as political symbols. First, as a symbol of Bolsonaro's support. Second, an anticommunist symbol.

The strategy was precise. Jair Bolsonaro also managed to use the 'green' uniform and his supporters as a political tool. In fact, the spirit of Brazilian football's uniform is a unifying tool. This is because Brazil is considered to be united through football.

However, Jair Bolsonaro's expertise changed everything. The yellow-green uniform is considered the color of his supporters. Bolsonaro's popularity and Brazil's jersey were able to put him ahead in the presidential election. Bolsonaro outperformed his challengers in two rounds.

Jair Bolsonaro's first round won over Fernando Haddad 46 percent -29.3 percent. The second round, Bolsonaro won again from Fernando Haddad 55.1 percent 44.9 percent. The victory made Bolsonaro completely become President of Brazil elected 2010-2023.

His behavior as president is no different. He often shows controversy -- speech and actions -- like Donald Trump. Especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020. Jair Bolsonaro was included in a group that did not believe in COVID-19. He even considered COVID-19 as a common cold. The move then backfired with the increasing number of COVID-19 transmissions in Brazil.

Like many authoritarian politicians, Bolsonaro has realized how football can be an important tool for promoting itself. On several occasions, Bolsonaro often wore Brazilian jerseys. Especially in 2018, Bolsonaro also handed over and lifted the trophy with Palmeiras players, when the team won the Brazilian League, "explained Pedro Augusto de Oliveira in the book Language Education and The University (2021).