Politics · Brazil · 1 day ago
Ratinho visits Minas Gerais governor-elect Cleitinho in Divinópolis
Presenter Ratinho visited governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo at his home in Divinópolis, in Minas Gerais, on Wednesday.
Cleitinho is a senator and is due to take office as the state’s governor in January 2027.
Ratinho said Cleitinho could one day become Brazil’s president and praised his humility.
Cleitinho said watching Ratinho’s television program helped inspire him to enter politics.
A state audit court suspended R$32 million in planned sponsorships for Atlético, Cruzeiro and América, following a complaint from Cleitinho.
The state-owned companies’ sponsorships were announced for the 2027 season, and Cleitinho said public money should go to other priorities.
Cleitinho takes office as governor in January 2027, but the sources give no further details about what happens next with the suspended sponsorships.
Presenter Ratinho visited Minas Gerais governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo at his home in Divinópolis on November 4.
Ratinho said Cleitinho would be “the governor of Minas’ history” and could reach Brazil’s presidency.
Cleitinho said Ratinho had inspired his entry into politics and described the visit as a dream.
The visit also came as Cleitinho discussed a court ruling suspending R$32 million in sponsorships for three Minas Gerais football clubs.
Cleitinho said tax revenue should be returned to residents through services.
- Who
- Presenter Ratinho visited Minas Gerais governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo.
- What
- Ratinho praised Cleitinho and said he could reach the presidency; they also discussed football-club sponsorships.
- When
- November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Cleitinho’s home in Divinópolis, in central-west Minas Gerais.
- Why
- The sources describe a visit between the two, whose relationship includes Cleitinho’s admiration for Ratinho and Ratinho’s support for his political career.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cleitinho said he decided to run for office after watching Ratinho’s programme; he was elected to Divinópolis’s city council.
Ratinho encouraged Cleitinho to stay in the governor’s race after he considered withdrawing.
The Minas Gerais government announced R$32 million in sponsorships for Atlético, Cruzeiro and América for the 2027 season.
The Minas Gerais Court of Accounts suspended the sponsorships after a complaint from Cleitinho.
Ratinho visited Cleitinho at his home in Divinópolis.
- Visitor
- Ratinho, presenter Carlos Massa
- Host
- Cleitinho Azevedo, Republicanos
- Visit date
- November 4, 2026
- Location
- Divinópolis, Minas Gerais
- Suspended sponsorships
- R$32 million
- Clubs named
- Atlético, Cruzeiro and América
3 sources
What people are saying
Vai ser o governador da história de Minas e, se Deus quiser, ainda vai chegar na Presidência da República. Esse tem cara de brasileiro.
O dinheiro que vocês pagarem de imposto, de IPVA, de ICMS, tudo que for, é pra devolver pra vocês. Pode ter certeza disso.
Nem nos meus melhores sonhos imaginei que um dia receberia o apresentador Ratinho em minha casa!
Não posso aceitar como governador pegar mais de R$ 30 milhões da Cemig e da Codemig e colocar em time de futebol. Todo mundo sabe o amor que eu tenho por futebol. Só que a gente tem outras prioridades.