Brazil President Lula jokes Neymar is 'first player to train remotely' for national team

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has playfully chided football star Neymar for his absence from the ongoing 2026 World Cup matches. During an event in Belo Horizonte, the president quipped that Neymar is the first national team player to be selected for a squad while training remotely.

The comment came after a young boy mentioned Neymar's name at the hospital event. Lula seized the moment to express his lighthearted frustration over the player's inability to participate. Neymar missed Brazil's opening group stage match against Morocco and was also absent from the subsequent game against Haiti.

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Neymar? He hasn't played at all!

Neymar's participation in the tournament has been uncertain due to a series of injuries. He has not represented Brazil in any matches since October 2023, raising concerns about his fitness and availability for the crucial World Cup games.

Earlier, Lula had also humorously suggested he might sign Lionel Messi to help the Brazilian team. The president's remarks highlight the national anticipation and concern surrounding the performance of the Brazilian squad in the absence of one of its key players.

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the first player in the world to be selected for the national team but train remotely