Brazil's president criticized the injured forward's inclusion in the squad, saying he is not playing and called him the world's first "home office" convocado.
4:44 AM
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday criticized the inclusion of injured forward Neymar in the national team's 2026 World Cup squad, describing the Santos player as the world's first "home office" convocado.
Speaking at an official event in Belo Horizonte focused on oncology investments in Brazil's public health system, Lula was asked by a child in the audience who the best player on the Brazilian national team was. When the child answered "Neymar," Lula responded with sarcasm.
"Neymar is not even playing," Lula said. "Neymar is the first home office convocado in the world. A home office player. I saw that on the internet yesterday."
Lula said he had encountered the "home office player" description in an internet message. The president, a noted football enthusiast, extended his remarks by joking about the state of the squad's talent. "Any day now we'll have to put together a team with artificial intelligence. Eleven Pelés," he added.
Neymar has not played a competitive match for more than a month due to injury. The forward, who plays for Santos, remains part of Brazil's World Cup roster under coach Carlo Ancelotti despite his absence from recent matches.
Neymar is a declared supporter of former president Jair Bolsonaro, a political rival of Lula.
Carlo Ancelotti named the Santos forward in Brazil's pre-list for the 2026 tournament, though his final selection remains uncertain pending fitness recovery.
Sidelined by knee injury, the Brazilian forward will appear on SporTV's 'Seleção Copa' program during the tournament in North America.
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Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the 34-year-old Santos forward for his fourth World Cup, joining eight other Brazilians with four tournament appearances.
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