Brazilian President Lula jokes about Neymar's absence from national team

During a public event regarding the national healthcare system in Belo Horizonte on June 19, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made ironic remarks about footballer Neymar. When a child named Neymar as the best player in the Brazilian national team, Lula joked that the athlete is effectively working from home, calling him the first player in the world to participate in the 2026 World Cup via remote work. Neymar remains at the team's base in New Jersey and did not travel to Philadelphia for the match against Haiti. Media reports suggest he is expected to return during the knockout stages if Brazil qualifies. Neymar, a known supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has been absent from recent team obligations. Lula further joked that they might soon create an artificial intelligence team composed of eleven Peles. The comments generated laughter among the event attendees.