Another World Cup. Another disappointment. Neymar, once again, could not lead Brazil to glory. It has been a series of heartbreaks for the Brazilian star, starting from the 2014 World Cup, when an injured Neymar watched from the sidelines the 1-7 humiliation in the semifinal at the hands of Germany. Then came the frustrating 1-2 loss against Belgium in the quarters at the last edition.
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Qatar 2022 started on a mixed note for Neymar, with Brazil winning the opener against Serbia but him getting injured yet again, and sitting out of the next two matches. He returned against South Korea and inspired the team to an emphatic 4-1 win.
Brazil and Neymar believed that they were through to the semis when he conjured up a magical moment to put the team ahead in the extra-time. But Croatia scored a late equaliser and prevailed in the penalty shootout to break Brazilian hearts and reducing Neymar and others to tears.
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Talking to reporters after the match, Neymar said he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after their heartbreaking loss. "Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I am not thinking straight," an emotional Neymar 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.
"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 per cent that I will come back."
It was his third failure at a World Cup, and his only triumphs with the national team are the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when Brazil won its first gold medal in football.
Neymar's goal on Friday helped him equal Pele as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. The 82-year-old showed his support to Neymar from his hospital bed in Brazil, where he was improving while being treated for a respiratory infection that was aggravated by Covid-19.
"I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure," he wrote on Instagram.
"Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.
"Unfortunately, this is not the happiest day for us, Pele added.
"My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is."
(With PTI inputs)
