MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Guess who the most popular politician on earth is

Surprising good chemistry between Lula and Obama

United States President Barack Obama, wildly popular the world over, said he isn't the globe's most admired politician: the title belongs to Brazil Lula da Silva

During a lunch at this week’s Group of 20 Summit in London, Obama shook hands with President Lula da Silva and said: “This is my man, right here. I love this guy”.

A bemused Lula da Silva, who does not speak English, appeared to enjoy the comments as they were relayed by an interpreter, grasping Obama's outstretched hand with both of his.

Obama followed the comment by saying Lula da Silva is “the most popular politician on Earth” and that it is because of “his good looks”.

The comments were broadcast on Brazilian television and Internet sites in the original English with Portuguese subtitles.

Speaking with Brazilian reporters in London, Lula da Silva also praised Obama for being such a plain, straight and humble fellow. “If you come across him in Bahia, and you’d swear he’s a bahiano; you come across him in Rio do Janeiro, you’d swear his carioca”.