Lula da Silva Mocks Neymar Calling Him "Work-From-Home Footballer"

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sparked controversy during an official event in Belo Horizonte. The leader made ironic comments about Neymar‘s current call-up for the 2026 World Cup. He called him the first player to compete in a tournament under a remote work arrangement.

The statement came this Friday before a large local audience. A young boy expressed his deep admiration for the Santos star. The youth assured him he hoped to see him shine soon on the fields in the United States. However, the president’s response surprised everyone present.

According to El Diario NY, Lula responded with much humor. He said that Neymar was not playing and that he was a remote work call-up. The president admitted he took the clever phrase from an internet meme.

Why Did Lula Joke About the Player?

The presidential mockery reflects a very common sentiment in Brazil. Many fans question the inclusion of the 34-year-old player in the national team. Carlo Ancelotti, the team’s coach, included him in the official roster despite his physical problems.

@ambitofinancieroLULA SAID NEYMAR IS THE FIRST “WORK-FROM-HOME” FOOTBALLER CALLED UP FOR A WORLD CUP 🇧🇷 President Lula da Silva made ironic comments about Neymar’s call-up to the Brazilian national team for the 2026 World Cup and called him the first “work-from-home” footballer in the world. More information at ambito.com

♬ original sound – Ámbito

Lula continued with his irony during the public event. He added that, at this rate, one day they would assemble a team with artificial intelligence. He joked that this way they could include 11 identical players like Pelé on the field. This generated laughs from attendees and significant media coverage.

The joke has a very real and quite tangible basis. Neymar missed Brazil’s World Cup debut against Morocco. That match ended in a bitter 1-1 draw. Additionally, he also did not travel to Philadelphia for the match against Haiti’s national team.

What Is Neymar’s Health Status?

The medical history of the former Barcelona player concerns fans greatly. Neymar suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in late 2023. That injury occurred in a tough qualifying match against Uruguay. Since then, his athletic recovery has been slow and very complex.

As sports network ESPN explained at the time, that injury kept him away from the national team. In fact, he has not worn the national shirt in an official match since that date. His return to Santos was intended to give him rhythm, but injuries continued to affect his performance.

On May 17, 2026, he was injured again. This happened just 24 hours before Ancelotti revealed the official roster. Therefore, his arrival in the United States generated intense national sports debate. Many experts believe that occupying a spot while not healthy is a major strategic error.