Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sparked fresh debate after joking that Neymar has become the national team's first-ever "work-from-home" footballer during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Brazilian leader made the remark while addressing an event in Belo Horizonte, where he was announcing investments in the country's public healthcare system. During an interaction with the audience, Lula asked a young boy who he considered Brazil's best player.
The answer was immediate. "Neymar. "
Lula's response drew laughter from the crowd.
"Neymar isn't even playing, man," the president said. "Neymar is the world's first work-from-home national team player. "
Lula's Neymar Joke Goes Viral
The comment quickly gained traction across social media, with many viewing it as a playful
jab at Brazil's injured superstar.
Lula later revealed that he had first seen the joke circulating online before repeating it publicly.
"I saw that on the internet yesterday," he said. "Any day now, they'll have to put together a national team using artificial intelligence - eleven Peles. "
The reference to Pele, widely regarded as Brazil's greatest footballer, added another layer to a joke that has dominated Brazilian football discussions.
Why Neymar Hasn't Played
Neymar has yet to feature at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a calf injury before the tournament.
The 34-year-old missed Brazil's opening 1-1 draw against Morocco before also sitting out the Selecao's 3-0 victory over Haiti.
Rather than travelling with the squad for the Haiti match in Philadelphia, Neymar remained at Brazil's training base in New Jersey to continue his rehabilitation programme.
Reports from the Brazilian camp suggest the forward has been training twice daily in an effort to accelerate his recovery.
More Than Just Football
Lula's comments have attracted additional attention because of the complicated relationship between the president and Brazil's most famous footballer.
Neymar publicly supported former president Jair Bolsonaro during previous elections, placing him on the opposite side of Brazil's political divide from Lula.
While the president's remarks were delivered humorously, they inevitably reignited discussions about the intersection of politics and football in Brazil.
Could Neymar Return Against Scotland?
Despite missing Brazil's first two matches, Neymar has not yet been ruled out of the tournament.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed after the victory over Haiti that the forward would rejoin the squad ahead of Brazil's final Group C fixture against Scotland.
The Italian stopped short of guaranteeing Neymar's availability, however, with a final decision expected after further medical assessments and training sessions.
Brazil currently sits in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds following its win over Haiti, but Neymar's potential return would provide a significant boost as the tournament enters its decisive stages.
For now, though, the spotlight remains on a joke that has become one of the World Cup's most talked-about off-field moments.
