Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has disclosed that national team coach Carlo Ancelotti consulted him over whether to include Neymar Jr in the squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel, Lula said Ancelotti raised concerns about the forward’s fitness and readiness for international competition.
According to the president, the coach questioned Neymar’s inclusion amid ongoing public debate. “Do you think Neymar should be called up?” Ancelotti reportedly asked him.
Lula responded that selection should depend on merit and physical condition rather than reputation alone. “If he’s physically fit, he’s got the football,” he said. “But he can’t expect to go just on his name. He has to earn it on the pitch.”
Ancelotti has previously expressed concerns about Neymar’s fitness, stressing that he intends to select only players in peak condition for the World Cup.
The president also urged professionalism from the forward, suggesting he look to players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as examples of sustained commitment at the highest level.
The comments come amid growing public debate in Brazil over whether Neymar should be part of the national team’s plans for the tournament in North America.