Brazil soccer star Neymar said he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after losing to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinal Friday.
“Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight,” Neymar told reporters in Qatar, according to 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.”
Have we seen the last of Neymar in a Brazil shirt? 🥺 pic.twitter.com/PyNkbVDnK6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
Neymar, 30, tied Pele with 77 career goals for the national team after scoring in the 105th minute to give Brazil a late lead over Croatia in extra time, the report continues. Croatia would go on to equalize and eventually win the match on penalty kicks, and Neymar did not get a chance to attempt a shot.
El hermoso momento entre Leo Perisic, hijo de Iván, y Neymar, después de la eliminación de Brasil.
Ney, un crack dentro y fuera. 👏🏼❤️🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/ndXhGhOKFa— Pablo Giralt (@giraltpablo) December 10, 2022
Pele, 82, who was hospitalized for a respiratory infection, sent a message of support to Neymar on Instagram after the match, according to the Associated Press.
View this post on Instagram
“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,” the post says. “Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.”
Neymar has 77 goals in 124 matches for Brazil, and is one of only two Brazilian players to score multiple goals in three different World Cups, according to ESPN. (RELATED: American Sports Journalist Grant Wahl Dies Suddenly In Qatar).
“Keep inspiring us,” Pelé said in his Instagram post, “I will keep punching the air with joy for every goal you score, as I did in every match I saw you on the pitch.”