Brazil President Lula jokes about ‘signing’ Messi after Brazil draw

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sparked headlines on Wednesday after joking that the national team should “sign” Lionel Messi, following Brazil’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener.

The five-time world champions struggled to impose themselves in their Group match, with defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack raising early concerns among supporters. Morocco, considered one of the toughest teams in the group, held Brazil to a deserved draw, exposing areas for improvement in the South American giants’ campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Lula lightened the mood with a humorous remark about Argentina’s superstar captain.

“I was thinking about signing Messi to play for Brazil,” he said with a laugh, referring to Lionel Messi’s sensational form at the tournament.

The comment came just a day after Messi delivered a dazzling performance for Argentina, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria and strengthening his reputation as one of the standout stars of the competition. The contrast between the two South American rivals added extra spice to Lula’s playful remark.

Despite the draw, Lula downplayed concerns over Brazil’s performance, insisting that opening-match pressure should not be over-interpreted.

“It’s not a big deal to draw with Morocco,” he added, calling them one of the strongest sides in the group. He also reminded fans of Brazil’s history of overcoming slow starts in major tournaments.

“They say that whenever Brazil are heavily doubted, they go on to win the World Cup… let’s see,” he said, keeping expectations optimistic.

On the team front, attention is now turning to Brazil’s next fixture against Haiti, where fans are eager to see improvements in attacking rhythm and finishing.

All eyes remain on Neymar, who has returned to the squad after nearly three years away due to injuries and inconsistent form. The 34-year-old forward has resumed training after recovering from a recent calf issue and was seen joking with reporters during a light session.

“Did you miss me?” Neymar called out with a smile as he joined teammates on the pitch, signaling his readiness to contribute to Brazil’s campaign.

As Brazil regroup ahead of their next match, the pressure is mounting, but so is optimism that the squad’s star power will soon ignite on football’s biggest stage.