"Ronaldo, if you watch...": Why President Emmanuel Macron addressed the former Brazilian international

Unknown in France, his country of birth, Paul Cabannes is a star in Brazil. The comedian and successful author boasts nearly 2.5 million followers on his Instagram account. This status allows him to cross certain borders and occasionally enter the political arena and interact with the world's powerful figures.

In March 2024, he received an invitation from the Republic of Brazil to participate in the presidential luncheon between Presidents Lula and Emmanuel Macron . This was repeated a year later, last June, at a dinner between the two presidents at the Élysée Palace.

It is not completely surprising, therefore, that he was again invited to meet with President Macron during the latter's recent mini-tour in Latin America — in Brazil for COP30 and then in Mexico —.

While the political situation is particularly tense in France, Emmanuel Macron took a moment for lighthearted fun with the comedian. The relaxed interview, conducted aboard the presidential plane, was broadcast on social media.

Paul Cabannes notably proposed a little game to Emmanuel Macron with five true or false "facts" about Brazil. The first concerned the song "Voyage, voyage," which is supposedly "sung at every barbecue" in the country. That sets the tone.

Then, given the Brazilian theme, another question focused on football , and more specifically on Olympique de Marseille (OM), his favorite club . " Ronaldo , the Brazilian Ronaldo Fenomeno, declared in 2017 that he would have liked to play for Olympique de Marseille if he had played in France," the comedian quipped. "That's not only true, but it's obvious," replied the President, with a mischievous smile. Cabannes then clarified, turning to the camera, "that President Macron is a supporter of Olympique de Marseille."

“Like any great player, he would have liked to experience… well, it’s practically a Brazilian crowd, Marseille,” insists Emmanuel Macron. Unfortunately, Ronaldo never expressed a desire to play for OM…

An answer that didn't satisfy the president, who, in a playful mood, asked the Brazilian two-time World Cup winner and two-time Ballon d'Or recipient to set the record straight. "Is that false? No! No, he said it," insisted Emmanuel Macron with a smile. "Ronaldo, if you're watching…" the comedian continued, addressing the camera. "Yeah, Ronaldo," the French president resumed. "This is a call to Ronaldo. If we could correct things. Ronaldo, please clarify." We await the man's response.