RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP)—Brazilian star Neymar is “the first player in the world to be called up to the national side and be working remotely, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva joked on Friday.

Neymar, Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals, only returned to training with the squad at the World Cup in the United States this week after recovering from a calf injury.

The 34-year-old missed the opening 1-1 draw with Morocco and has also been omitted by coach Carlo Ancelotti from the squad for their second group game against Haiti later on Friday.

“Neymar? He is not even playing!” Lula replied to a young boy when he mentioned Neymar’s name.

“Neymar is the first player to be called up (to the national team) who is working remotely,” added the 80-year-old, who was speaking during a ceremony at a hospital in the southeast city of Belo Horizonte.

Lula has been in fine form since the Morocco match, joking on Wednesday that he was thinking of signing Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi to play for Brazil.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain striker was diagnosed in late May with an injury to his right calf, and has featured in just half of the games for his club Santos this year due to various fitness issues.

Ancelotti and his coaching staff are reluctant to rush the return of Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer and compromise his availability for matches later in the tournament, according to Brazilian media.

Neymar, who has not played for his country since October 2023, did train with his teammates for the first time on Wednesday.

He has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time owing to his series of injuries.

Brazil’s final group stage game is against Scotland in Miami on June 24.