On June 20, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a pointed comment about footballer Neymar, who remains sidelined from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury. The remark came just hours before Brazil's second group stage match against Haiti.
According to verified reports, Lula stated, 'Neymar is a great player, but he needs to be on the field to help the team. We cannot rely on someone who is always injured.' The comment quickly went viral on social media, sparking debate among fans and analysts.
Neymar, 34, has been recovering from a knee injury sustained in October 2025 during a club match. He has not played for Brazil since November 2025. Brazil's coach, Dorival Júnior, has confirmed that Neymar is not fit for the tournament.
Brazil is currently competing in Group B of the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team won its opening match against Serbia 2-0 on June 15.
