Brazilian presidential candidate Lula da Silva has slammed soccer star Neymar’s support for far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, accusing the player of being motivated by a debt “pardon”.

Last month, Neymar backed conservative hardliner Bolsonaro, who is fighting for re-election in his October 30 playoff against ex-left leader Lula.

“Neymar has the right to choose who he wants to make president. I think he’s afraid that if I win the election, I’ll find out what Bolsonaro waived from his income tax debt,” Lula said in a YouTube interview on Tuesday.

“I think that’s why he’s scared of me,” added Lula with a laugh when asked about Neymar’s support for the president.

Expectations of close competition have prompted both sides to intensify their attacks ahead of the runoff, with Lula leading the way after the October 2 first-round election.

“Obviously Bolsonaro made a deal with (Neymar’s) father. He now has an income tax problem in Spain,” said Lula, alluding to a favorable decision obtained by the player in a tax evasion case in Brazil and the charges against him he faces at Barcelona over alleged irregularities in his 2013 club transfer.

Lula added that it’s ultimately a problem for the country’s tax collection agency, not him.

This week, Lula secured the support of another football legend.

Former Brazil player and Paris Saint-Germain star Rai gave Lula a silent salute at a gala awards ceremony in Paris, mentioning his country’s elections before showing an “L” sign with his right hand.

Lula has 53 percent of the vote for the Oct. 30 runoff versus 47 percent for Bolsonaro, according to a poll released Friday by the Datafolha Institute.