Neymar and World Cup question reaches Brazil president; politician reveals his advice to coach Carlo Ancelotti

Neymar's absence from the Brazilian football team squad has now reached the doors of the country's president, as head coach Carlo Ancelotti has sought Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's advice over whether he should include the star footballer. Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023 due to injury and fitness issues; however, the possibility of him missing the World Cup 2026 has become a major controversy in the South American nation.

The five-time World Cup winner Brazil are known for their immeasurable love for football, and their national team has always been dominated by big names ranging from Pele, Romario to Ronaldo. Neymar has been Brazil's biggest football star in the last decade and so, but his struggle with knee injuries has pushed him out of the squad for almost three years now.

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Lula speaks on Neymar and World Cup

He wasn't part of the recent international friendlies in March, and there's fear that Ancelotti will not take Neymar to the World Cup, which will be hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. However, Neymar's god performances for Santos recently have sparked a debate that he should be playing for Brazil in the World Cup.

Amid all the drama, Brazilian president Lula has revealed that coach Ancelotti recently asked him whether he should be taking Neymar to the World Cup.

"I had the chance to speak with Ancelotti, and he asked me: 'Do you think Neymar should be called up?'" Lula said on YouTube.

"I said: 'Look, Ancelotti, if he’s physically fit, he’s got the football. What I need to know is whether he actually wants it.'"

"If he does, then he has to be professional. He can look at someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, he can look at Messi, and still go to the national team, because he’s not old yet."

Lula added that Neymar should not be picked for Brazil just on his reputation, but on the basis of what he can do for the team.

"But he can’t expect to go just on his name. He has to earn it on the pitch."

Brazil are in Group C of the World Cup with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. They play their group matches in the USA, starting from 14 June.