The appearance of former Brazilian national team athlete Zé Roberto caught the attention of internet users who followed the program Encontro com Patrícia Poeta this Friday (19). The repercussion began when the public had difficulty recognizing the former player, who participated in two World Cups and said goodbye to the field in 2017.
Many users on social media made humorous comparisons between Zé Roberto and singer Anitta, known for her aesthetic transformations. Others raised the suspicion that the former player had undergone some facial harmonization procedure.
“Zé Roberto played Anitta and changed her face. It’s a gag”, expressed one internet user in her post.
Another person commented: “Guys, it took me a long time to understand that this boy is Zé Roberto.”
“Did Zé Roberto harmonize? It’s TOO different”, asked a fan, expressing surprise at the change.
During the television show, Zé Roberto discussed his appearance when describing to Patrícia Poeta his intense physical exercise routine, frequently shared on his digital platforms.
He stated that he trains daily, considering the practice an established habit in his life. The former midfielder highlighted nutrition as an essential pillar in his career, which spanned a long period: “I was an athlete who had a long career, I stopped playing at the age of 43 at a high level, becoming a champion”, he reported. Maintaining an elite performance until this age in football is rare and requires exceptional dedication, something that his current discipline reflects, contrasting with the superficial explanations raised by internet users.
When images of his training were shown, the former player joked with the audience: “It’s not AI, no. I did this training yesterday!”
He concluded by explaining that, from an early age, he understood the importance of his body as a work tool, dedicating himself to its care. Today, at age 50, Zé Roberto feels that his body “takes care of me”, emphasizing that “it’s never too late to start” adopting a healthier lifestyle.