<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/neymar-included-in-brazils-26-man-fifa-world-cup-squad-23631167" rel="nofollow">Brazilian star Neymar</a> is &ldquo;the first player in the world to be called up to the national side and be working remotely&rdquo;, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva joked on Friday.
Neymar, Brazil&rsquo;s record goalscorer with 79 goals, only returned to training with the squad at the World Cup in the United States this week after recovering from a calf injury.
The 34-year-old missed the opening 1-1 draw with Morocco and was also omitted by <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-carlo-ancelotti-optimistic-about-brazil-competitive-approach-against-haiti-23635913" rel="nofollow">coach Carlo Ancelotti</a> from the squad for their second group game against Haiti.
&ldquo;Neymar? He is not even playing!&rdquo; Lula replied to a young boy when he mentioned Neymar&rsquo;s name.
&ldquo;Neymar is the first player to be called up [to the national team] who is working remotely,&rdquo; added the 80-year-old, who was speaking during a ceremony at a hospital in the southeast city of Belo Horizonte.
Lula has been in fine form since the Morocco match, joking on Wednesday that he was thinking of signing <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-lionel-messi-levels-record-of-highest-goalscorer-in-tournament-history-23635635" rel="nofollow">Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi</a> to play for Brazil.
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FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva pokes fun at Neymar’s absence due to calf injury

FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'Neymar is the first player to be called up who is working remotely': Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva

FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'Better quality, fewer mistakes': Ancelotti hails team’s outing against Haiti

Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva pokes fun at veteran forward’s absence due to calf injury

FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'Neymar is the first player to be called up who is working remotely': Brazil President

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Home / Sports / Football / Article / FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'Neymar is the first player to be called up who is working remotely': Brazil President