Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged the national football team to focus on selecting home-based players instead of stars like Vinicius Jnr and Richarlison, claiming that they do not match the greatness of past icons such as Garrincha and Romario.
The national team is currently facing challenges in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with disappointing results, including defeats to Paraguay and a Copa America quarter-final exit against Uruguay. Under new manager Dorival Junior, Brazil has yet to find its footing despite having a wealth of talent, including rising star Endrick from Real Madrid.
In a recent radio interview, Lula revealed he has lobbied Ednaldo Rodrigues, head of the Brazil Football Federation, to prioritize local talent over players from top international leagues. “Those who are abroad are not better than those here,” Lula stated. “In Brazil, there are good players of the same quality, so give opportunities to those who are here.”
The president dismissed the notion that international stars abroad are comparable to legends like Garrincha and Romario, suggesting that many are simply young players who have yet to establish themselves.
If Lula’s call is heeded, several prominent players could be affected, including Barcelona’s Raphinha, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Éder Militão, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães, as well as Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson.
Currently, of the 23 players called up by Dorival Junior, only seven play for Brazilian clubs. However, injuries have limited the options available to the manager. Notably, in Brazil’s recent 2-1 victory over Chile, both scorers, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus, play for Botafogo, reinforcing Lula’s argument for prioritizing domestic talent.
