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Brazil's Lula Mocks Neymar's World Cup Role as 'Remote Work'
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Brazil's Lula Mocks Neymar's World Cup Role as 'Remote Work'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a sarcastic remark about soccer star Neymar's participation in the 2026 World Cup.
  • Lula joked that Neymar, a supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro, works remotely and suggested creating a national team with artificial intelligence.
  • Neymar, who is recovering from an injury, is expected to play in the knockout stages if Brazil qualifies for them.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took a jab at soccer star Neymar, suggesting the player is effectively working remotely.

Neymar doesn't even play, man. Neymar is the world's number one remote worker. A player who works from home.

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaPresident Lula's sarcastic remark about Neymar's participation in the 2026 World Cup.

During a public health event in Belo Horizonte, Lula asked a child who the best current player for the Seleção was. When the child answered Neymar, Lula quipped, "Neymar doesn't even play, man. Neymar is the world's number one remote worker. A player who works from home."

Who does Brazil have that is good at soccer right now?

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaPresident Lula questioning a child about the current best Brazilian soccer player.

Lula, a vocal supporter of Neymar, also joked that a national team composed of artificial intelligence players, like eleven Pelés, might be needed soon. Neymar, who has publicly supported former President Jair Bolsonaro, is currently in New Jersey with the team base in the United States. He did not travel to Philadelphia for the match against Haiti. Brazilian media report he is expected to play in the knockout stages if Brazil advances.

Neymar

— ChildThe child's answer to President Lula's question about the best Brazilian soccer player.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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