FIFA World Cup 2022: Neymar Says He Could Retire After Brazil's Penalty Shootout Defeat To Croatia
Brazil forward Neymar said he could retire from international football after his team's penalty shootout defeat to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals.
DOHA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Brazil forward Neymar said Friday he could retire from international football after his team's penalty shootout defeat to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals.
"Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment," the 30-year-old said. "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."
Neymar seemed to put the South American team on course for victory with a stunning 106th-minute strike after a mazy run at Education City stadium. But Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic equalized with a long-range effort that deflected in off Marquinhos with four minutes of extra time remaining.
Mislav Orsic, Luka Modric, Lovro Majer and Nikola Vlasic converted each of Croatia's spot kicks in the shootout. Rodrygo's feeble first attempt was saved by Dominik Livakovic before Pedro and Casemiro held their nerve only for Marquinhos to send his team's fourth penalty crashing against the left post.
Neymar, who made his international debut in 2010, added: "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."
Neymar's strike saw him equal Pele as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals from 124 matches.
Brazil boss Tite confirms departure after World Cup exit
Brazil manager Tite confirmed that he will step down after his team's quarterfinal defeat to Croatia on penalties, a result that eliminated the tournament favorites from the World Cup in Qatar on Friday.
Tite, who took charge of Brazil in July 2016, had already announced his intention to leave after the World Cup and said the decision would not change.
"It is very difficult," Tite told reporters on Friday. "The cycle ended and I said that one and a half years ago. I needed to have the full cycle and now I have the full cycle and have followed the moments."
When asked what type of legacy he would leave, the 61-year-old replied: "Time will answer that."
Tite, who won 61 of his 81 games and lost seven, led Brazil to the 2019 Copa America title as hosts.
(Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)
Trending News
Top Headlines
