Neymar Retirement: Brazil’s 2022 FIFA World Cup run came to an end with a quarterfinal loss to Croatia. It could have also signaled the end of an era. Following Friday’s shocking penalty shootout loss, Brazilian superstar Neymar refused to commit to playing for the national team again. Follow InsideSport.IN for LIVE updates about FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
FIFA WC Semifinal RACE: Argentina, Croatia thorugh to SEMIS, Morocco vs Portugal, France…
Also Read: Croatia vs Brazil Highlights: FAVOURITE Brazil head HOME as Dominik Livakovic SHINES yet again as Extra-Time Specialist Croatia OUST Brazil 4-2 on penalties: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS (insidesport.in)
Neymar Retirement: Is Brazil superstar retiring from International Football? As Neymar unsure about playing for Selecao after FIFA World Cup 2022 QFs EXIT – Check OUT
“Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight,” the 30-year-old Neymar told reporters, via ESPN. “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.”
“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.”
Given that Neymar has never led Brazil to a World Cup victory and that he will be 34 years old by the time the 2026 competition rolls around, this may have been his last opportunity to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.
Sensational 🇧🇷#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/98HCY0Txn9
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
There were tears from Brazil and Croatia fans for very different reasons as Croatia booked their place in the semi-final at Brazil’s expense. With four minutes of extra-time to go, Croatia were going home after Neymar had given Brazil an extra-time lead – and made his own little bit of history too as he levelled Pele’s 77th international goal record.
Neymar Retirement: Is Brazil superstar retiring from International Football? As Neymar unsure about playing for Selecao after FIFA World Cup 2022 QFs EXIT – Check OUT
Undeterred, Bruno Petkovic scored a last-gasp leveller to take the game into the drama of a penalty shoot-out. Croatia held their nerve as Brazil’s Rodrygo missed and Marquinhos hit the post with Croatia winning 4-2 on penalties.
They will now face Argentina in the semi-finals.