Neymar-Signed Football Thief Sentenced to 17 Years for Role in Bolsonaro Supporters’ Riot

A football signed by Neymar, gifted to congressman Marco Maia in 2012 and displayed at Brazil’s National Congress museum, was stolen during the January 8, 2023 riots by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Nelson Ribeiro Fonseca Jr., 34, was sentenced to 17 years for theft, vandalism, and participation in the violent attacks on Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace following Bolsonaro’s election defeat. Although Fonseca claimed he found the ball on the ground, he was arrested after it was discovered in Sorocaba 20 days later. He faces additional fines totaling 66,000 Brazilian reals. Over 500 people have been charged in the riots, with Brazilian authorities seeking 30 million reals in damages from those involved. Some ministers proposed reducing Fonseca’s prison sentence to 15 years, while one called for dropping charges related to property damage.