Lula says that Brazil has no idols in football and criticizes players who enjoy parties and nights out – 10/31/2023 – Sports

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) criticized Brazilian football this Tuesday (31), stating that the country has no idols, players prefer parties and nights out and that the last team that performed at a good level was that of the 2006 World Cup. .

The statements took place during a live broadcast on the internet, Conversa com o Presidente.

Lula was answering questions about his cultural tastes, when he added that he really likes football, following games in Brazil and abroad. Then he began to praise Argentine Lionel Messi, who, the day before, had won the Golden Ball for the best player in the world for the eighth time.

“It’s not possible that Messi doesn’t serve as an example for other Brazilian players. A 36-year-old guy, he was world champion, he won it last year and he won it again this year playing the Golden Ball in the United States. Messi should be an inspiration for these kids who appear on television, who we think are going to be stars and will soon disappear”, said the president.

Lula then mentioned that many young people fail to pursue a more consistent career, perhaps due to “vanity” or because they do not have a “psychological structure”. He also pointed out the problem of premature selling of many players abroad.

He then added that the country no longer has football idols, thus ignoring names like Neymar. The player campaigned for Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the last presidential elections.

“In a little while it disappears because perhaps vanity, there is no psychological structure to grow. Little girls appear painted in gold and soon they disappear. Then a 17-year-old boy appears and in a little while he is sold. We can no longer create How many years has it been since Brazil has had a real idol?” he asks.

The president then added that the 2006 team was the last Brazilian team to present good football. That team had the so-called “magic square”, with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Kaká and Adriano.

“I keep thinking about the 70’s team, the 2002 team. The last team was the 2006 team, the last great team that we lost by an accident, something we shouldn’t lose because the team was very good. It’s gone It’s been 22 years since we won anything, man. And the way we are, the way we see the other teams and the Brazilian team playing, if we don’t become aware that we need to improve […] We’re going to spend more time without winning a title”, he stated.

The president then began to criticize professionals who lead a disorderly life, without mentioning names. The criticism came when remembering names from the generation close to Neymar, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.

The speech came after mentioning that Brazil sells very young players, but then the teams buy “the retired guy”. He also took the opportunity to criticize Corinthians, his favorite team

“Although today physical fitness allows people to live and play football a little longer. I feel absurd [sic] seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia in 43 games scoring 40 goals, more than the entire Corinthians team in two championships”, he stated.

“Whoever wants to win the Ballon d’Or has to be a professional, he has to dedicate himself. Whoever wants to be a professional doesn’t go with partying, it doesn’t go with a night out. Whoever wants to be a professional goes with dedicating himself, it means being an idol, dedicating himself, being an example If you’re not an example, you’re not good for much,” he added.

Brazil is going through a bad moment in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. After the draw with Venezuela, at Arena Pantanal, Neymar was hit by a bag of popcorn. Afterwards, the team was defeated by Uruguay, away from home.