Neymar has hinted that he might have played his final match for Brazil after the country crashed out of the ongoing world cup in Qatar.
Brazil lost 4-2 to Croatia on a penalty shoot-out in Doha on Friday. Croatia was the 2018 World Cup runners-up.
Brazil’s shoot-out heartbreak followed a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at Education City Stadium, with Neymar opening the scoring midway through extra time before Bruno Petkovic hauled Croatia level.
Neymar’s wonderful goal, which came at the end of a sublime move, took him level with the great Pele on 77 for Brazil.
The 30-year-old had hinted this World Cup might be his last, though with the next Copa America coming in 2024, it had not been expected he would retire.
Speaking with reporters on Friday however, Neymar expressed uncertainty about his future. He said: “Honestly, I do not know.
“I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight.
“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, and I do not say 100 per cent that I’ll come back.”
Brazil have been eliminated from four of their past five World Cup quarter-finals, while they have lost their last six knockout games against European nations since a 2-0 victory over Germany in 2002 final.
The Selecao are the first side in World Cup history to go out after taking the lead in extra time of a knockout match.
