Neymar’s future in Brazil uncertain after World Cup defeat

Written by on December 13, 2022


DOHA, Qatar (AP) The joy of scoring one of the greatest goals for Brazil quickly turned to tears after Neymar’s disappointing retirement from the national team.

A World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia was tough for the Brazil striker and could spell the end of his time with the national team.

Neymar remains without a major title in Brazil and it is unclear whether he will return to the World Cup for the fourth time in four years, when he will turn 34.

“It’s too early to come here and say it’s happening, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Neymar said after Brazil’s 4-2 penalty shoot-out loss to Croatia on Friday. “I need to take a moment to think about it. I’m not closing any doors for the Selecao, but I’m not saying I want to go back 100 per cent.”

Before the World Cup in Qatar, Neymar did not rule out that this will be his last World Cup.

“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to talk about it now,” he said Friday. “It’s time to go home and whine.”

Failure to win a title could motivate a return, as his only triumphs with the national team remain the 2013 Confederations Cup and Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

In theory, Neymar has until March to decide on his future, when South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers are expected to begin.

Neymar looked set to lead Brazil to the semi-finals for the first time since 2014, when he equaled all-time top scorer Pelé (77 goals) in extra-time. But Croatia equalized in the closing minutes and won the shootout after Rodrygo and Marquinhos failed to convert penalties for the five-time champions.

Neymar didn’t even have the chance to help in the penalty shoot-out as Brazil manager Tite left him for a never-before-seen fifth spot-kick.

“It’s hard to say it will make a difference (if I take one of the penalties early),” he said. “We can’t single anyone out. We win together and we lose together.”

After what happened at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, reaching the semi-finals in Qatar could be Neymar’s salvation. He suffered a back injury in the quarter-final win over Colombia and ruled out the semi-finals, which ended in Brazil’s 7-1 loss to Germany.

Four years later, Neymar and Brazil lost to Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Neymar also missed the 2019 Copa America, which Brazil won at home, with a right ankle problem.

He has survived another injury scare in Qatar after injuring ligaments in his right ankle in Brazil’s opener. It is unclear if he will play again, but he eventually returned to the round of 16 with a goal in a 4-1 win over South Korea.

Neymar arrived in Brazil in 2010 at the age of 18 and quickly rose to the top of the country. If he leaves now, there is no clear replacement. Vinicius Jr. and perhaps Rodrygo – his immediate replacement in Qatar – could try to fill that role.

Most fans want Neymar back, as does the record he set on Friday.

“Keep motivating us,” Pele said in a message to Neymar. “I will continue to be as happy for every one of your goals as I am for every game I see you on the pitch. As athletes, our greatest duty is to inspire. To inspire our teammates today, the next generation, and especially It’s everyone who loves the sport.”

The joy of scoring one of the greatest goals for Brazil has quickly turned to tears after Neymar’s yet another disappointing exit for the national team. A World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia was tough for the Brazil striker and could spell the end of his time with the national team.

Neymar remains without a major title in Brazil and it is unclear whether he will return to the World Cup for the fourth time in four years, when he will turn 34.

“It would be too hasty to come here and say that this is it, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Neymar said after Brazil’s 4-2 loss to Croatia in a penalty shootout on Friday. “I have to take some time to think about it. I’m not closing any doors to the Selecao, but I’m also not saying 100% that I want to be back.”

Before the tournament in Qatar, Neymar hadn’t ruled out this being his last World Cup appearance.

“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to talk about it right now,” he said Friday. “Now it’s time to go home and lament.”

Not winning the title could keep him motivated to return, as for now his only triumphs with the national team remain the 2013 Confederations Cup title and the Olympic gold medal from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Neymar theoretically has until March to make a decision about his future, because that’s when South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is expected to begin.

It looked like Neymar was going to send Brazil to the semifinals for the first time since 2014 when he scored in extra time to move into a tie with Pelé as the national team’s all-time scoring leader with 77 goals. But Croatia equalized in the final minutes and won the shootout after Rodrygo and Marquinhos failed to convert their penalties for the five-time champions.

Neymar didn’t even get a chance to help in the shootout because Brazil coach Tite had reserved him to take the fifth penalty, which never materialized.

“It’s hard to say that it would have made a difference (if I had taken one of the early penalties),” he said. “We can’t single out anyone. We win together and we lose together.”

Reaching the semifinals in Qatar could have meant redemption for Neymar after what happened at the 2014 tournament hosted by Brazil. He couldn’t play in the semifinals after hurting his back in the quarterfinal win against Colombia, and Brazil eventually lost to Germany 7-1.

Four years later, Neymar and Brazil lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Neymar also missed the 2019 Copa America, which Brazil won at home, because of a right ankle problem.


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