Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has suggested that Brazil’s national team should give more opportunities to players who ply their trade in the country’s league as they are as good as their foreign counterparts.
In an interview, (via Manchester Evening News) Lula stated that “there are no stars” playing outside of Brazil, asserting that the talent found in domestic leagues matches that of the high-profile names in England, Spain, and beyond.
Silva argued that there is no one of the calibre of “Garrincha or Romario” among those currently overseas, but rather “a bunch of young players who are not yet stars.”
“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.”
This statement came following Brazil’s 2-1 win over Chile, in which two Botafogo players, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus, scored Brazil’s goals.
According to reports Silva has already discussed his idea with the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), believing it could better highlight local talent.
However, this could have serious implications for the Brazil national team. Only six of the current 23-man squad play club football in Brazil, and they have a combined total of just 34 caps.
Lula, a huge football fan and lifelong supporter of Corinthians is no stranger to voicing his opinions on the sport and has previously criticised the national team’s performance.
Currently managed by Dorival Junior, Brazil are fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table, having won only four of their first nine matches.
The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will enter an inter-confederation play-off.
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