Brazil or Norway? Lucas Pinheiro Braahten reveals who he will support
The game between the Brazilian team and Norway, in the round of 16 of the World Cup, opens an impasse for Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the alpine skiing athlete who won the historic gold medal for Brazil at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
Born in Oslo, Norwegian captain, Lucas has dual nationality. Even so, he guarantees that he will support Ancelotti's team.
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Rafael Bello/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen during ski training - Rafael Bello/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games - Disclosure/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Agencezoom/FIS
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Rafael Bello/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Disclosure/Lucas Pinheiro
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games - Reproduction / COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games - Disclosure/Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, flag bearer of Brazil, walking with the delegation inside the San Siro during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games - Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
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Lucas Pinheiro carries the Brazilian flag at the Winter Olympic Games - Gabriel Heusi/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, flag bearer of Brazil, walking with the delegation inside the San Siro during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games - Gabriel Heusi/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Jonne Roriz/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Jonne Roriz/COB
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Lucas Pinheiro, Brazil's main name at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Jonne Roriz/COB
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"I'm happy to see Norway in a World Cup after 28 years without playing, but my heart is green and yellow on Sunday. I chose to be Brazilian. Brazil represents my roots, my family and an essential part of my identity", said Lucas Pinheiro in an interview with GQ Brasil.
"Even though I followed another path in sport, my love for sport was born with football, I have always admired what football represents for the Brazilian people. And this feeling and intense love for sport, I always wanted to bring to winter sports. Today, representing Brazil in skiing also makes me feel part of this history and this passion that Brazilians have for the sport", added the athlete.
When asked about a score for the game, the alpine ski athlete preferred not to take any chances, but guessed on the classification: "It's going to be Brazil."
Lucas Pinheiro celebrating gold in the alpine skiing World Cup - Photo: Stanko Gruden/Agence Zoom/Getty Images
From the streets of São Paulo to the mountains of Europe
Son of a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen was born in Oslo, but grew up divided between Norway and the interior of São Paulo, where a large part of his maternal family lives. The connection with Brazil was never formalized.
"I grew my love for sport here in Brazil, playing football on the streets of São Paulo", he told reporters in an interview with CNN in May 2024. "That's my relationship with sport."
The references came from football. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Neymar. They weren't just technical idols. They were characters who, according to him, told bigger stories than titles.
"I wanted to write a story bigger than the sport I played. There will always be a new skier from Norway. But it's not often that a skier from Brazil appears."
From champion for Norway to choice for Brazil
Before changing flags, Lucas was already one of the big names on the world circuit. Slalom World Cup champion in the 2022-23 season, he accumulated victories and podiums representing Norway, one of the greatest powers in alpine skiing.
In 2023, he announced early retirement after disagreements with the Norwegian federation involving autonomy and image rights. Months later, he surprised by returning to the circuit defending Brazil.
The decision was strategic and symbolic. Strategic because she found more freedom to lead her own career. Symbolic because he saw the chance to open a new path.
"I wanted to talk about something that is more important than just results. Bringing 200 million people to winter sport is important. I want to be an inspiration. It doesn't matter where you are from. There are no limitations, only opportunities."
The change divided opinions in Norway. Part of the public lamented. Another part recognized courage. In Brazil, the reception was immediate and warm, even if limited due to the low popularity of the sport in the country.
The flag on the chest and the weight of history
Brazil had never won a medal at the Winter Olympic Games. The country's best campaign to date was far from the podium. Lucas knew he carried a historical weight, but he didn't escape his responsibility.
"I didn't come back to this sport to participate. I love the taste of gold."
In February 2026, as the clock ticked and the snow flew, the tropical country learned to twist through high-speed turns down the mountain. And, if it depends on Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the cold has never felt so much like the Brazilian heat.
Meet Lucas Pinheiro, medalist who won gold for Brazil
Source: CNN