Neymar unsure if he’ll play for Brazil again

Neymar is on the fence about returning to Brazil’s national team in 2026.

Brazil and the Paris Saint-Germain star forward were stunned on Friday by Croatia in the World Cup, leaving Neymar with another four-year wait to compete again on the game’s biggest stage. The 30-year-old was emotional after the 1-1 quarterfinal loss in Qatar, which was decided off penalties, 4-2.

“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 after the loss. “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 percent that I’ll come back.”

Brazil’s loss was devastating – especially for Neymar, who put Brazil up in extra time. The star forward’s goal tied him with Pelé as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s scorer with 77 goals. 

Shortly after Neymar’s clutch goal, though, Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic tied the game at 1-1 with a score in the 115th minute. Neymar was also slotted to be Brazil’s fifth and last taker during penalties but never got the chance to shoot.

Croatia will face Argentina in the semifinals on Tuesday.