Brazil Prez Lula Calls Neymar 'First Home Office Call Up' Amid Fitness Struggles

Last Updated:June 20, 2026, 03:37 IST

Lula jested about Neymar being the first 'home office call up' amid the Selecao superstar's fitness struggles during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.

The President of Brazil, Lula, jested about Neymar being the ‘first home office call up’ as the Selecao superstar struggles for fitness amid the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.

During an event, the Prez asked a young kid about who he feels is Brazil’s best player at the moment is and the kid popped up with ‘Neymar’ without skipping a beat.

“Neymar isn’t even playing, dude. Neymar is the world’s first home office call-up. Home office player," Lula said.

“I saw that on the internet yesterday. Any day now, they’re gonna have to make a National Team with Artificial Intelligence. 11 Pelés," he added.

Brazil opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a stalemate against Morocco in a thrilling 1-1 draw in a high-intensity Group C match at the New York, New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.

The game featured individual brilliance, tactical battles, last-ditch defending and standout goalkeeping, with Neymar watching injured from the sidelines as Brazil faced the 2022 semi-finalists.

Morocco struck first in the 17th minute when Ismael Saibari latched onto a precise through ball from Brahim Diaz and calmly lifted it over Alisson, punishing Brazil’s vulnerable back line. The Atlas Lions repeatedly threatened with their pace and direct attacks.

Brazil responded like five-time champions. On his 50th cap, Vinicius Junior produced a moment of genius, cutting in from the left and curling a shot into the far corner past Yassine Bounou to make it 1-1. The equaliser sparked a spell of end-to-end action. Lucas Paqueta nearly completed the turnaround with a spectacular spinning volley, but Bono made a superb reflex save, and from the resulting corner Marquinhos came close to scoring.

Brazil take on Haiti in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C fixture at the Philadelphia Stadium in USA on Saturday, as Carlo Ancelotti and Co. go in search of their first win of the tournament.

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