Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has ignited a major debate by proposing that Brazil’s national football team should only call up players who play for domestic clubs, potentially sidelining Europe-based stars like Casemiro, Ederson, and Vinicius Junior.
Lula’s controversial suggestion has left fans and pundits stunned, as it would exclude some of Brazil’s biggest talents playing abroad. Key players such as Manchester United’s Casemiro and Antony, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, and Liverpool’s Alisson, along with Arsenal trio Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhaes, would be barred from the national squad under this radical policy.
In a bold interview, Lula claimed that players outside of Brazil lack star quality. “There are no stars [playing abroad],” Lula said, adding that the level of talent found in Brazil’s domestic leagues is just as high as those playing in Europe. He emphasized that Brazil no longer has players of the caliber of “Garrincha or Romario” overseas, only “a bunch of young players who are not yet stars.”
Lula elaborated on his vision for Brazil’s national team: “In Brazil, there are good players of the same quality as those abroad. So [the national team should] give opportunities to those who are here.”
His remarks followed Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Chile, where homegrown talents Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus, both from Botafogo, scored the winning goals. Reports suggest that Lula has already discussed his proposal with the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), believing that such a shift would showcase local talent more effectively.
If adopted, Lula’s plan could drastically reshape Brazil’s football landscape. Currently, only six players from the 23-man squad play in Brazil, and they have collectively earned just 34 caps. Excluding Brazil’s Europe-based stars could weaken the team at a time when they’re battling to secure World Cup qualification.
Lula, a lifelong fan of Corinthians, has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on football and has often voiced frustrations with the national team’s performance. Under the management of Dorival Junior, Brazil sits fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table, having won just four of their first nine matches. The top six teams automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with the seventh-placed team entering a playoff.
Lula’s proposal, if enacted, could represent one of the most significant changes in Brazilian football history, and it remains to be seen how the CBF and fans will react.
