Brazilian President mocks ‘work-from-home’ Neymar as Brazil wait on injured No. 10
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NEW YORK – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva poked fun at Neymar’s injury-hit World Cup, calling the absent forward the team’s first “work-from-home” player as Carlo Ancelotti waits to see whether his No. 10 can return against Scotland.
Speaking at an event in Belo Horizonte announcing oncology investments for Brazil’s public health system, Lula asked a boy in the audience who he thought was the best player in the national team.
“Neymar,” the child replied, prompting a quick answer by the president.
“Neymar isn’t even playing, man. Neymar is the world's first ‘work-from-home’ national team player. A work-from-home player,” Lula laughed.
“I saw that (joke) on the Internet yesterday.
“ Any day now, they’ll have to put together a national team using artificial intelligence – 11 Peles.”
Neymar, an outspoken supporter of former president Jair Bolsonaro, has been recovering from a calf injury for a month and has yet to play at the World Cup.
He missed Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco in their Group C opener and was also ruled out of the June 19 second match against Haiti, with Brazil winning 3-0.
The forward remained at Brazil’s base in New Jersey rather than travelling with the squad to Philadelphia, following an individual training plan in an attempt to be ready for the final group game against Scotland on June 24.
On June 20, the 34-year-old forward took part in physical and ball-handling drills at the team’s training centre alongside left-back Alex Sandro, who also missed the match.
Ancelotti said after the Haiti match that Neymar would be reintegrated into the squad for the Scotland game, although his availability remains uncertain.
Neymar has been training twice daily in New Jersey as he tries to accelerate his recovery, with Ancelotti expected to assess his condition during sessions on June 22 and 23 before deciding whether he can play.
Fellow contenders England are experiencing a similar situation with Bukayo Saka.
The Three Lions winger missed training on June 19 ahead of his side’s game against Ghana, with the Football Association saying he was following his own programme as he continues to manage an Achilles injury.
Saka has been battling the problem since March.
England coach Thomas Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the need to carefully manage the 24-year-old’s workload during the tournament.
The winger was not involved in the session at England’s Kansas City base, but there was no indication from the FA that his availability for the June 23 Group L match was in doubt.
Saka came off the bench in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening game and made an immediate impact, helping to create Marcus Rashford’s late goal as Tuchel’s side began their campaign in style.
The Arsenal player said before the tournament that he was prepared to take the gamble of playing through the injury in order to feature at the World Cup.
But Tuchel has acknowledged that he is unlikely to be able to start and finish every match.
REUTERS