Brazilian football star Neymar showed off his skills on the huge “Broken Chair” statue outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday to mark becoming Handicap International’s goodwill ambassador.
The world’s most expensive player, who shone on his Paris St. Germain (PSG) debut on Sunday, has pledged to work for the landmine victim non-governmental organisationExternal link and the millions of people who are “less visible” but deserve equality.
The Brazilian marked the special Geneva event by mounting the 12-metre-high three-legged chair sculpture that symbolises landmine victims using a mechanical lift. Attached to the sculpture with a safety harness, he juggled and kicked balls to fans standing below and into the nearby UN grounds.
The footballer was accompanied by his parents and wore a black baseball cap and Handicap International black t-shirt with the slogan, “Repair Lives”.
“I would like to begin by thanking you all for what you do for the least visible in the world, so they become more visible. I have to say that I am very pleased to be here and to be the new ambassador,” the 25-year-old told reporters.
“I hope this will be a very successful partnership and that we will be able to help a large number of people,” he said. “Millions want their rights, they want to be treated better. That’s what we are here for and that is what our aim is.”
Handicap International was created in 1982 to help 6,000 Cambodian refugees who had lost limbs. It later co-founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992 which won the Nobel Peace Prize.
“What people may not realise is that beyond this exceptional sportsman, there is of course a conscience and a voice,” said Manuel Patrouillard, managing director of Handicap International.
The former Barcelona forward recently signed for the PSG for $259.72 million – double the world-record transfer fee. He shone in his first game on Sunday, with one goal and an assist, as PSG overcame strong resistance from Guingamp to win 3-0.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss state pension fund stops investing in arms firms
This content was published on
According to a report by Swiss public radio, SRF, Publica, the biggest pension fund in Switzerland, is dropping five arms manufacturers from its investment portfolio and selling its stake in them. Publica currently has 63,000 people paying in to the fund and 43,000 recipients, mainly government civil servants and employees at the federal institutes of…
This content was published on
Statues celebrating dead generals and philosophers are found in city squares around the world. But what about contemporary heroes?
This content was published on
“There is a vast difference between nuclear weapons and landmines. The former are weapons of the rich, the latter of the poor. Yet they also have something in common: they are weapons which cast the shadow of war also across peace.” With these words the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the International Campaign…
This content was published on
On a table in Thun military barracks, Sergeant Roman Wilhelm shows us two plastic boxes – two containers of death. Inside are different types of landmines: anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, ones made of plastic and metal, round ones and long ones. Some are designed to explode at the slightest pressure, others need a chemical reaction…
This content was published on
The announcement from the foreign ministry on the strategy for humanitarian demining comes on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Meanwhile the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for increased action to end the suffering caused by mines, cluster munitions and other explosives. The…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.