The ball is in Lula's court.

Today, in a live and exclusive interview for TV 247, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received, face to face, a “Didi Folha Seca,” as the Ethiopian prince became known, a description given by Nelson Rodrigues. Didi was a remarkable player during his time at Fluminense, but he truly shone playing for Botafogo, where he won the Rio de Janeiro state championship in 1957, 1961, and 1962. 

I've written about this scene in this space before. And if I mention it again, it's because, in the land of football – or were we??? – it's the best definition of elegance, sovereignty, and self-confidence. It defines what can be called dignity and the spirit of Brazilianness. It's in short supply and, unfortunately, you can't buy it at the pharmacy.

Didi was participating in his first World Cup, in Sweden, in 1958. In the final, against Switzerland, shortly after Brazil conceded the first goal, four minutes into the game, Didi calmly picked up the ball from the back of the net and walked calmly to the center of the field. Those 27 steps conveyed to the Brazilian players the message they needed: "we are better". Brazil won 5-2 and won its first title.

Today, the one who retrieved the ball from the back of the net and strutted across the pitch, taking countless steps towards what can be called dignity and citizenship, was Lula. At 77 years old, he demonstrated that he is not concerned with the theories of television commentators. (Stop typing and listen, if you want to have any Brazil, he seemed to be saying). He will not heed what they say. He will not be shaken. Let his ministers understand this once and for all – some still preoccupied with popularity ratings, the most forceful threat used against governments.

The unwavering certainty that he returned to power to rebuild democracy and the country is what drives him all the time. And this inner truth, sculpted during the 580 days he had the chance to lie on his back and think about life and what he intends for Brazil, moves him because it takes him back to the solitude of his cell and moments of unnecessary suffering – like the loss of his brother whom he couldn't mourn – but it also forged him into the will to do the right thing.

This aspect, the strength that emerges from pain, was obviously sidelined in the opportunistic headlines that quickly appeared on TV after his interview with 247. They highlighted the swear word Lula allowed himself, thinking, à la Rubens Ricupero, that he was off-air. They exploited the feeling of revenge – which he reported – that assailed him while he was imprisoned, without, however, contextualizing it. Who, in a moment of injustice, doesn't think about punching their tormentors?

However, none of that matters to Lula, who fondly remembers the scene of the boy approaching him, talking about the drop in the price of picanha steak.

What could be observed – and, I emphasize, this is a very personal view – is that he knows what he wants and where he wants to go. Yes, he knows the weight of the machine and where it gets stuck. Yes, he is in a hurry, because four years go by quickly and perhaps there won't be enough time to lift Brazil out of the splendid cradle in which it has been left for the last six years. But he is convinced that he can do more if he can count on businessmen who are as concerned as he is about the country and less about profits. (Do they exist???). Lula knows there are few. He managed to mention Josué Alencar, son of his dear friend and former president, José Alencar. Perhaps he would need to make an effort to remember other names.

He showed no sign of cooling down his anger against the Central Bank's exorbitant interest rates. And he shouldn't. Leading experts worldwide have already attested that high interest rates are not a good way to stimulate the economy.

What Lula is facing, and the recently released Ipec poll made this very clear by asking questions that induced the answers the "market" wants, is an early presidential campaign for 2026, the likes of which have never been seen before.

They can't tolerate him in office, not with those "outlandish" ideas that spending to lift the poor out of misery isn't spending, but rather investment. They want to quickly find a "third way" candidate to "work" until then. And, preferably, prevent his government from succeeding. The people will want to re-elect him (although he said he doesn't want to, but might decide to stay, although it's known that was to scare the foxes away from the henhouse). The great challenge is preventing him from choosing his successor.

At the moment, that name is far from being Haddad, who is very susceptible to the echoes of Faria Lima. Unless he stops to listen carefully to everything Lula said in the interview and also wants to walk 27 steps to the center of the field, with the ball, to set an example of sovereignty.