President: No Call-Ups for Europe-Based National Players

Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has called on the national football team selectors to prioritize homegrown talent over foreign-based players, including stars like Vinícius Júnior and Richarlison. As Brazil navigates its qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, recent mixed results, including a loss to Paraguay and a Copa América quarter-final exit against Uruguay, have sparked debate about the composition of the squad.

President Lula expressed his concerns in a recent radio interview, suggesting that players who continue to prove themselves within Brazil deserve more opportunities. "Those who are abroad are not necessarily better than those who play here. We have excellent players in Brazil who should be given a chance," he stated.

Lula’s comments come amidst a period of transition under coach Dorival Júnior, where despite the abundance of talented players like Real Madrid’s Endrick, the team has struggled to replicate its past dominance. He also voiced frustration with the idea that some players currently playing overseas are being compared to Brazilian legends like Garrincha and Romário, emphasizing that these young players have not yet reached that level.

The President’s appeal could impact a number of high-profile Brazilian players currently playing abroad, such as Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Rodrygo and Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), and Estevão Willian, who is set to join Chelsea in 2025.

Of the 23 players recently called up by coach Dorival, only seven play in Brazil—a figure that was largely influenced by injury-related absences. Despite the challenges, Brazil managed a 2-1 victory over Chile on Thursday, with goals from home-based talents Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus of Botafogo.

As the national team moves forward, Lula’s appeal to focus on domestic players highlights a broader conversation about balancing experience with emerging talent from within the country’s own borders.