Neymar continues to become the center of debate at the 2026 World Cup as he did not travel with the Brazil national team to Philadelphia to prepare for the match against Haiti. The special situation of the 34-year-old star even prompted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to make a joke.
The Brazil national team began their 2026 World Cup journey with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. This result is not a disaster, but the Selecao’s performance, especially in the first half, left many question marks. For a team that always enters every World Cup with the posture of a championship contender, the fact that Brazil played without explosiveness, lacked imposition, and did not create an overwhelming feeling as expected makes fans inevitably worried.
Neymar once again becomes the most talked-about topic. (Photo: Goal) In that context, the name Neymar once again becomes the most talked-about topic. Before the 2026 World Cup kicked off, the inclusion of the 34-year-old forward in the final squad of the Brazil national team caused a lot of controversy. No one denies the class, influence, and legacy that Neymar has built in the Selecao shirt. However, consecutive injuries in recent seasons mean he can no longer maintain his peak form like in his prime.
What makes the story even more notable is that Neymar did not travel with the entire Brazil squad to Philadelphia to prepare for the second match against Haiti. Instead, he stayed at the national team’s headquarters in New Jersey to continue his recovery process for a calf injury. In the context that Brazil needs its biggest stars ready to play, the fact that Neymar is included in the squad but cannot yet play raises questions from the public: is he still a true tactical solution, or just a spiritual symbol?
Even Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva mentioned this situation in a highly humorous way. During an event in Belo Horizonte, Mr. Lula asked a young boy who the best player in Brazil is currently. When the boy answered “Neymar”, the Brazilian President immediately joked: “He isn’t even playing! I read that Neymar is the first player called up for the World Cup but is working remotely.”
Mr. Lula’s quote quickly created a big impact because it hit exactly the psychology of many Brazilian fans right now. Neymar is still a name with massive appeal, still a symbol of Brazilian football for over a decade, but the current reality is no longer as easy as before. A player expected to lead the attack but having to sit out due to injury is always a sensitive issue, especially when the Selecao is in need of stability in the group stage.
The match against Haiti is therefore not only an opportunity for Brazil to seek their first victory at the 2026 World Cup, but also a test for the head coach’s squad depth. Without Neymar, Brazil needs to prove they still have the ability to operate smoothly, create a difference, and resolve the match using other personnel.
For Neymar, the story right now is no longer simply about reputation. He needs fitness, needs time, and needs a convincing enough return to erase the doubts. As for the Brazilian fans, they are still waiting for the moment the once biggest star of the Selecao actually steps onto the pitch, instead of continuing to be the center of mocking remarks about “attending the World Cup remotely”.
