Brazil's Lula jokes about recruiting Messi after early World Cup 2026 matches

During the opening stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco while Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, a victory highlighted by Lionel Messi scoring a hat‑trick. In response, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva humorously suggested that Brazil should "engage" Messi for the tournament.

The comments also noted the return of Neymar to Brazil's squad after a long injury lay‑off, with the forward training but not yet set to play. The remarks reflect the early excitement and rivalries shaping the competition hosted in the United States.