Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sparked a national debate on Friday by joking that injured forward Neymar is doing remote work instead of playing in the 2026 World Cup.
The comment came during an official hospital ceremony in Belo Horizonte when a young fan mentioned Neymar's name.
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"Neymar? He does not even play!"
Lula said.
The leftist leader added that Neymar is "the first player in the world called up to the national team to do remote work," referencing jokes circulating on social media.
Political and Sporting Reactions
The remarks intensified discussions about Neymar's role in the squad. Veteran journalist Juca Kfouri argued that the forward no longer contributes professionally or emotionally to the team.
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The tension between Lula and Neymar dates back to the 2022 presidential election, when Neymar endorsed right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro, Lula's rival.
Neymar has been sidelined since May due to a right calf muscle injury, following a long recovery from a severe knee injury that kept him out since October 2023.
Although he trained in New Jersey, manager Carlo Ancelotti excluded him from the lineup for Brazil's Group C match against Haiti on June 20, 2026, prioritizing rehabilitation.
Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, surpassing Pelé's 77 goals in 92 matches.
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He is attempting to recover for the final group stage match against Scotland on June 25, 2026, in Florida.
