Even away from the pitch, Neymar continues to dominate headlines in Brazil. Injured since the start of the 2026 World Cup, the former PSG forward missed Brazil’s opening match against Morocco (1-1) and was also ruled out of the clash with Haiti.
Neymar came under fire from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the tournament. The remarks also carry a political dimension, as Neymar had previously shown support for Lula’s longtime rival, Jair Bolsonaro. Speaking at a ceremony in a hospital in Belo Horizonte, Lula joked about the Seleção star’s absence, a comment that quickly spread across Brazilian media.
Lula’s Joke Sparks Debate
“Neymar isn’t even playing. Neymar is the first call-up in the world working remotely. He’s a remote-working player,” the Brazilian president said, triggering a wave of reactions across social media platforms.
The jab was far from insignificant. During Brazil’s last presidential election, Neymar publicly backed Jair Bolsonaro, Lula’s direct opponent. His political stance generated significant debate across the country and remains a sensitive topic for many Brazilians.
While Carlo Ancelotti hopes to have his number 10 available for the remainder of the World Cup, Neymar remains at the center of attention. The forward is expected to return for Brazil’s final group-stage match against Scotland, as confirmed by the national team coach.
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