Brazil president Lula da Silva poked fun at his country’s World Cup struggles this week, joking that he had considered “signing” Argentina’s Lionel Messi to boost the five-time champions’ attack.
The lighthearted remark came on Wednesday, days after Brazil stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening fixture.
Brazil’s World Cup Stumble Sparks the Messi Joke
When reporters pressed Lula about Brazil’s underwhelming start, he didn’t shy away from a bit of humor. “I was thinking about signing Messi to play for Brazil,” he said, laughing as journalists pushed him on the team’s form. Even so, he quickly downplayed the result, insisting the draw wasn’t a major setback since Morocco had always looked like the toughest team in their group.
Interestingly, Lula leaned on history to ease any panic. “They say that whenever Brazil is heavily doubted, they win the World Cup,” he added, low expectations have sometimes preceded the Selecao’s biggest triumphs.
Meanwhile, Argentina has had a far smoother ride so far. Messi, Brazil’s fiercest footballing rival, scored three goals against Algeria on Tuesday, a performance that only sharpened the contrast between the two South American giants. For more on the tournament’s broader storylines, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 site offers ongoing coverage, while Wikipedia’s overview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup provides useful background on the tournament’s format and host nations.
Neymar Returns to Training Ahead of Next Match
Beyond the Messi joke, attention has also shifted to Neymar, who rejoined the squad for his first training session in nearly three years on Wednesday. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, had been sidelined by a mix of injuries and inconsistent form, most recently a calf injury suffered last month.
As he stepped onto the pitch for some light activity, Neymar greeted waiting journalists with a playful shout: “Did you miss me?” However, it remains unclear exactly when he’ll make his tournament debut, since the team hasn’t confirmed a timeline for his return to competitive action.
Conclusion
Brazil will face Haiti on Friday, looking to bounce back and silence early doubts. Given the team’s history of rallying under pressure, fans will be watching closely to see whether Lula’s lighthearted jab about Messi turns into nothing more than a passing joke, or a sign of deeper concerns the coaching staff still needs to address.
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