One of the main names in Brazilian sports journalism, announcer Luís Roberto, from TV Globo, was announced as taking an indefinite leave of absence from his duties for health treatment — a decision that changes the network's programming for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The network confirmed this Tuesday (7) that Luís Roberto was diagnosed with a neoplasm in the cervical region after routine exams. The medical condition requires specialized monitoring and the journalist's full dedication to treatment, which prevents his participation in sports broadcasts in the coming months, including the games of the biggest event in world football.

The neoplasm, a term used to describe the abnormal growth of cells that can form benign or malignant tumors, is still in the medical evaluation phase to define the most appropriate treatment. So far, no additional clinical details have been released.

With almost four decades of career at Globo — where he has worked since 1998 —, Luís Roberto has built a career marked by coverage of major sporting events, including multiple World Cups and finals of national and international championships. After Galvão Bueno's departure, he became the main voice of the network's football broadcasts.

In a statement released on social media, the announcer stated that, despite the initial shock of the news, his condition is “under control”. He thanked his family, medical team, and the network for their support, and declared that his focus is on overcoming the recovery challenge. “Being absent for this period that includes the World Cup is a huge challenge, but the biggest one is to overcome this stage. That is my focus,” he stated.

The leave of absence represents a significant loss for Globo, which will need to reorganize its announcer lineup for the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada this year. The network has not yet officially detailed how the coverage will proceed without the professional.

The news provoked reactions from fans, colleagues, and sports journalism figures on social media, who sent messages of support and wishes for recovery to the announcer.