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Jose Luis Chilavert (57) inspired the football world during his career. The goalkeeper acquired cult status with his goals from free kicks. He scored more than 60 goals, eight of them for the Paraguayan national team. He is now running for president in his homeland.
19 years after the end of his career, Chilavert declares war on the incumbent government of Paraguay. He wants to parry the “balls of corruption”, he writes in his election campaign. The South American country is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. “It’s like a football match. Like a World Cup final. Either we continue with corruption and impunity, or we change this country,” the former goalkeeper explains.
Bolsonaro as a political role model
He earned his nickname “Bulldog” because of his aggressive style of play. Chilavert was known as a fighter and a bully. In 2001, after a match against Brazil, 57-year-old defender Roberto spat in Carlos’s face after trying to shake his hand. In 1994, he was sentenced to three months in prison for beating a ball boy.
Chilavert uses this image for her election campaign. He sees himself as a proud patriot. His political role model is the far-right Jair Bolsonaro, former president of Brazil. In addition to fighting corruption, Chilavert wants to advocate for tougher punishments for criminals.
Polls speak against him
Chilavert is not the first footballer to want to gain a foothold in politics after retirement. Former world footballer George Weah has been president of his home country Liberia since 2018.
The question is whether Chilavert will do the same as the storm legend. According to current studies, this is only two to three percent. On Sunday, April 30, the election of the new president of Paraguay will take place.
Chilavert was one of the best goalkeepers of his time. He was voted world goalkeeper three times. With the Argentinian club Velez Sarsfield he won the Copa Libertadores in 1994 and the Intercontinental Cup in the final against AC Milan. (mab)
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
