Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made headlines on June 17, 2026, when he jokingly suggested that he would like to sign Argentine football star Lionel Messi for his favorite Brazilian club, Corinthians. The comment came during a press conference in Brasília, where Lula was discussing sports investments.
According to verified reports from Brazilian media, Lula said, 'If I could, I would bring Messi to Corinthians. He is a genius, but I think he is happy in Miami.' The remark was met with laughter from journalists and was widely interpreted as a lighthearted moment rather than a serious proposal.
Lula, a known Corinthians fan, has previously made similar jokes about signing famous players. Messi currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and there is no indication that he has any intention of moving to Brazil. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has not commented on the matter.
This incident highlights Lula's ongoing efforts to promote Brazilian football, but no formal negotiations or offers have been made. The story remains a humorous anecdote rather than a genuine transfer rumor.
