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MATT BARLOW: Is this the end of Neymar with Brazil? At 30, he could still be at the top level come the next World Cup in 2026, but he couldn’t again deliver on the big stage under the weight of a nation’s hopes.
Brazil left Doha for the unknown. Boss Tite resigned as planned and stalwart defenders Thiago Silva and Dani Alves accepted that their dream of winning the World Cup as players was over.
“Who knows if in the future I will have the opportunity to play another role,” said Silva, the Chelsea midfielder.
Neymar asked for time to consider his decision. “My head is still hot and I’m not thinking straight,” the Paris Saint-Germain striker said after departure.
Neymar’s future with Brazil is in serious doubt after Tite’s team was knocked out of the World Cup in Qatar
To say that it is the end would be rushing, but I do not guarantee anything either.
At 30, Neymar could still be playing at the highest level come the next World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026, but he has carried the weight of expectation throughout his professional life and came to Qatar with high hopes that this could happen. be his tournament.
He suffered an ankle injury in the group stage and missed two games before scoring a brilliant opening goal during extra time in Friday’s quarterfinal against Croatia. The goal dragged him to 77 goals for his country, tied with Pelé at the top of Brazil’s charts.
The PSG star leveled Pelé’s international goalscoring record for the Seleção with his stoppage-time goal
But the nation’s talisman was left in tears when Brazil was knocked out of the tournament on penalties.
It seemed like it would be enough to see Brazil advance to the semifinals of this World Cup in Qatar, but it wasn’t enough, as Tite’s side conceded a late equalizer, then lost on penalties.
Having set out to win his first World Cup in 20 years, hoping to dedicate the success to icon Pelé, who is in hospital with ill health, he was consoled on Sunday by the 82-year-old legend.
“I watched you grow,” said Pele, in a message to Neymar on social media.
Defeating also likely marked veteran defenders Thiago Silva (left) and Dani Alves (right) in recent international tournaments.
I cheered you on every day and I can finally congratulate you on reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know this is more than a number. Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. To inspire our colleagues today, the next generations and, above all, all the lovers of our sport.
‘Unfortunately, this is not the happiest day for us. My record was set almost 50 years ago and no one has come close to it until now. You arrived, boy. That shows how great your achievement is.
‘Keep inspiring us. I will continue punching the air with joy for every goal you score as I did in every game I saw you on the field.