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Neymar unsure if he will play again with Brazil after World Cup exit

‘To say that this is the end would be rushing myself, but I don’t guarantee anything either’

Thiago Silva consoles Nwymar after Brazil went out of the Word Cup on penalties against Croatia. Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images

Fri Dec 9 2022 - 20:57

Brazil’s Neymar said on Friday night he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalties.

“Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight,” an emotional Neymar told reporters.

“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’ll come back.”

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Neymar’s team-mate Dani Alves said that he would be retiring from international duty but intended to keep playing at club level.

Against Croatia, Neymar put the South Americans ahead with a brilliant mazy run in the first half of extra-time.

But their rivals equalised three minutes from time and then won a penalty shoot-out 4-2 to go through to the semi-finals.

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022

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