Liniker! Liniker! Liniker!" It was not, however, the England striker-turned-Match of the Day host Gary Lineker the sellout crowd was here to see. It was Lineker's Brazilian namesake: a Grammywinning pop sensation whose mesmerising performances and soul-stirring songs have captured the hearts and minds of millions.
"I've loved my name ever since I was a kid... [it] has such a wonderful sound," the 29-year-old told the Guardian, recalling how it was chosen at the suggestion of a footballing-loving uncle.
"People used to really struggle to pronounce it. [They would say]: 'Leeniker... Linker or Lynicker...[or] Linkin Park," joked the singersongwriter. "Lately, what they've most called me is 'LinkedIn': 'Oh, You're that singer LinkedIn, aren't you?"" Liniker added with a laugh.
Brazil's Liniker - full name Liniker de Barros Ferreira Camposwas born in Araraquara, a small city north of São Paulo, in 1995, a year after the English goalscorer retired.
As well as a chart-topping musician revered for a huge vocal range, Liniker - who is black, trans and has working-class roots - is also a symbol of diversity and tolerance in a country that only recently emerged from a bleak spell under Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right populist notorious for racist comments and hostility to minorities.
Denne historien er fra December 26, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra December 26, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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