Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti sought his counsel over the matter of Neymar’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
The Selecao head into the tournament in North America as one of the favourites, having lifted the World Cup on five occasions – more than any other country.
Their preparations for the World Cup have been dominated by one question: Will head coach Carlo Ancelotti call up Neymar?
At 34, the Santos star is obviously in the twilight of his career but there are some who have been clamouring for his inclusion even though he hasn’t played for Brazil since damaging his cruciate ligament back in 2023.
At the moment, Neymar is looking to prove his fitness to Ancelotti to merit an inclusion.
It appears the Italian isn’t sure about what to do yet, as LuLa confirmed the pair had a conversation over Neymar recently.
“I had the chance to speak with Ancelotti, and he asked me: ‘Do you think Neymar should be called up?’ I said: ‘Look, Ancelotti, if he’s physically fit, he’s got the football,” the president of Brazil said on his YouTube channel.
“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 [Lionel] Messi, and still go to the national team, because he’s not old yet.
“But he can’t expect to go just on his name. He has to earn it on the pitch.”
The fact that this situation is even being talked about by the president of the country highlights the immense pressure that Ancelotti is under when it comes to Neymar.
The Italian did echo Lula’s words previously, however, and insisted that even superstars like Neymar and Vinicius Junior must prove their fitness and their worth to be included in the World Cup squad.
Brazil legends have their say
There are some Brazilians who are campaigning for Neymar’s involvement, no one more so than Romario, who warned “gentleman” Ancelotti that he must tread carefully over this particular issue.
“Neymar not being called up? That gentleman had better watch out… the national team is for the best players,” the 1994 World Cup winner told Jornal O Dia.
“The Selecao is where the best and most talented players belong, and no manager should do without a player of Neymar’s calibre. He’d better watch out… it’s better to have a star like Neymar, even if he’s not 100%, than to call up just any other player.
“A star must play, always. I still hope to see Neymar prove on the pitch, in the Brazilian league, that he deserves a place in the final squad so that we can bring home our sixth World Cup title.”
‘O Fenomeno’ himself, Ronaldo, also believes Neymar should go to the World Cup due to his incredible record for his country, having scored 79 goals in 128 appearances, more than any other Brazilian.
“If Neymar is physically fit, I would take him to the World Cup. I am going to hope that Neymar is physically well. If he is, I am certain that Ancelotti will take him. He can help,” R9 told CNN.
“Perhaps he will not play every match, but he is a player who has already proven his worth everywhere he has been.
“Lately he has been going through significant injuries, but we do not need to scout Neymar to take him to the World Cup. If Neymar is physically fit, I would take him.”
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