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Fifa World Cup 2022: Neymar ties Pele’s record but loses again, casts doubt on his Brazil future

  • Neymar casts doubt on future with national team after moving level as all-time leading scorer in quarter-final loss to Croatia
  • Legendary Pele congratulates him from his hospital bed in Brazil – ‘I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day,’ he says

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Neymar of Brazil cries after the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Xinhua

Neymar walked off the field with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward’s cheeks.

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Other players had already tried to console Neymar as he cried while sitting near midfield, head down, hiding his face.

There wasn’t much they could say to get the team’s biggest star to lift his head up.

Again there was disappointment instead of joy at the end of a World Cup for Neymar. Again he couldn’t lead Brazil to a major title.

It was his third failure at a World Cup, and his only triumphs with the national team are the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when Brazil won their first gold medal in football.

Neymar (left) of Brazil cries as he walks off the pitch with teammate Dani Alves. Photo: Xinhua
Neymar (left) of Brazil cries as he walks off the pitch with teammate Dani Alves. Photo: Xinhua

Neymar said it wasn’t the time to talk about his future with the national team.

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