The Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a sarcastic comment regarding Neymar’s participation in the World Cup, which was hindered by his injury, describing the absent striker as the first player on the national team who “works from home,” while coach Carlo Ancelotti waits to find out if Neymar will be able to return for the upcoming match against Scotland.
During a speech at an event held in Belo Horizonte to announce investments in oncology for the benefit of Brazil’s public health system, Lula directed a question to a child in attendance about his opinion on the best player on the team.
The child answered, “Neymar,” which prompted the president to respond quickly.
Lula said, laughing, “Neymar isn’t even playing, boy. Neymar is the first player in the world on a national team who ‘works from home.’ A player who works from home.”
He added, “I saw this (joke) on the internet yesterday. One day, they will have to form a national team using artificial intelligence — 11 players like Pelé.”
Neymar has been recovering from a calf injury for a month and has not yet participated in the World Cup.
Neymar missed Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco in the team’s first match of Group C and was also absent from the second match, which ended in a 3-0 victory over Haiti earlier today, Saturday. The striker remained in the Brazilian camp in New Jersey instead of traveling with the team to Philadelphia, where he is following an individual training program in an attempt to be ready for the final group match against Scotland on Wednesday.
Neymar (34 years old) participated today in physical fitness training and ball drills at the team’s training center alongside left-back Alex Sandro, who was also absent from the team.
Ancelotti said after the Haiti match that Neymar would return to the team in preparation for the match against Scotland, although his participation remains uncertain. Neymar is training twice a day in New Jersey to try to accelerate his recovery, and Ancelotti is expected to assess his condition during training on Monday and Tuesday before making a decision about his potential participation in the match.
