Heartbroken Neymar doubtful to play for Brazil again
After the five-time champions were eliminated by Croatia in the quarterfinal on Friday, Neymar admitted he is unsure whether he would play again for Brazil.
The five-time world champion Brazilian football team was eliminated in the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal, and superstar player Neymar remarked on Friday that he is not sure if he will play again for Brazil. Neymar scored a record-tying goal for Brazil in the first period of extra time, but it was insufficient as Brazil succumbed to 2018 runners-up Croatia who triumphed 4-2 on penalties.
Neymar looked broken as he sank to the ground, unable to control his tears after Brazil suffered the heartbreak. Thiago Silva tried to console Neymar, who was in shock, much like the Brazil fans at the Education City Stadium, who were unable to process what had happened in the last 15 minutes of the hard-fought contest.
Neymar equalled Pele’s goal-scoring record for Brazil with his 77th strike, which came after a beautiful one-two with Rodrygo and Perdo. However, Neymar’s joy was short-lived as Crotia equalised in the second period of the extra-time before going on to dominate the penalties.
Neymar won the Rio Olympic gold medal and the Copa America title in 2019 but the World Cup has been eluding one of the best players going around. It was Neymar’s third World Cup appearance and it looked like the Paris Saint-Germain star had sent Brazil through to the semi-final but it was not meant to be for the superstar footballer.
“Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight,” Neymar, who wll turn 34 at the time of 2026 World Cup, said.
“To say that this is the end would be rushing myself, but I don’t guarantee anything either. Let’s see what happens going forward.
Heartbroken Neymar doubtful to play for Brazil again
“I want to take this time to think about it, think about what I want for myself. I will not close the door to playing with Brazil, nor do I say 100% that I’ll come back.”
Neymar’s teammate Dani Alves said that he would be retiring from international duty but intended to keep playing at club level.
Croatia await the winner of the 2nd quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands for the semi-final.
