Neymar Working from Afar at the World Cup, Says Brazil President

Brazilian star Neymar is “the first player in the world to be called up to the national side and be working remotely,” Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva joked on Friday.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s highest goalscorer with 79 goals, just got back to training with the squad at the World Cup in the United States this week after healing from a calf injury.

The 34-year-old missed the opening 1-1 draw with Morocco. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has also left him out of the squad for their second group game against Haiti later on Friday.

“Neymar? He is not even playing!” Lula said to a young boy when the boy mentioned Neymar’s name.

“Neymar is the first player to be called up (to the national team) who is working remotely,” the 80-year-old added during a ceremony at a hospital in Belo Horizonte, a city in the southeast.

Lula has been in a joking mood since the Morocco match. On Wednesday, he said he was thinking of signing Argentinian star Lionel Messi to play for Brazil.

Neymar was diagnosed with an injury to his right calf in late May. This year, he has only played in half of his club Santos's games due to different fitness problems.

Ancelotti and his coaching team do not want to rush Neymar back. They want to make sure he is ready for later matches in the tournament, according to reports from Brazil.

Neymar, who has not played for his country since October 2023, trained with his teammates for the first time on Wednesday.

He has been a key player for Brazil in their last three World Cup campaigns. Still, some were surprised he was included this time because of his injury issues.

Brazil’s last group stage game is against Scotland in Miami on June 24.