The Brazil striker has told The Guardian that he and his teammates were in agreement with the protesters during last year’s Confederations Cup.
Fred said: “During the Confederations Cup, we talked about the protests in the locker room and we wanted to join in. Man, we supported them. 99% of the players know from experience how people in this country suffer unless they are among the minority who have money.”
The Fluminense front man does not expect the same social unrest during the World Cup and hopes that he can show his countrymen that they can achieve their ambitions, in spite of the suffering around them.
“I don’t think it feels, at the moment, like it was before. As the World Cup approaches there is surely going to be a lot of celebration, a blaze of happiness. Everybody will be cheering, there will not be one person who is not following us.
“The majority suffer with various things: inequality, education, healthcare and they have a difficult life like I also had. When I represent the Seleção I want to make myself an example to show that even with all the same difficulties that Brazilian people face, they can still dream and work hard in search of their goals – God helps those that help themselves.”
