Neymarsaid he "cried for five days straight" after Brazil's2022 World Cup exit and added that he considered international retirement after their quarterfinal defeat to Croatia.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 31, hasn't played for his country since the penalty shootout loss on Dec. 9.
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Neymar put Brazil ahead with what looked like the winning goal in extra time before Croatia levelled with three minutes remaining and went on to win the shootout to progress to the semifinals.
"I can't tell you what went through my head," Neymar told YouTuber Casimiro. "It was the most painful defeat of my career, for sure. I cried for five straight days. It hurt me a lot that my dream had turned to nothing.
"I'd have preferred not to have scored the goal, for it to stay 0-0 and lose on penalties, rather than 'I scored the goal, they equalised and we lost on penalties.' It's a pain that only the players and staff can understand.
"It was the worst moment of my life. It felt like a funeral, someone crying on one side of you, someone else crying on the other. It was horrible, a feeling I don't want to experience that again."
Neymar has featured for Brazil at three World Cups: 2014, 2018 and 2022.
In 2014, they were humiliated 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semifinals on home soil after the forward suffered a back injury in the previous round.
Four years later in Russia, Brazil were beaten 2-1 by Belgium in the quarterfinals before being eliminated at the same stage by Croatia in Qatar in 2022.
In an interview with CazeTV, Neymar said he had contemplated international retirement after the latest disappointment but was now ready to go again in 2026.
"After the [2022] World Cup, I honestly didn't want to [return to the Brazil national team]," he said. "But I've changed my mind. Because I'm very hungry, right? I changed my mind.
"After the World Cup, I didn't want to go through the pain of losing again. Seeing my family suffering a lot, that weighs heavily on me. But they will have to put up with it again. It will be good. It has to be."
Brazil's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway in September.
The CBF has appointed Fluminense's Fernando Diniz as their new interim head coach on a one-year contract, as they pursue Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti as a long-term appointment.
Neymar is back in preseason training with PSG, now coached by his former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.
They play Le Havre in a friendly on Friday before leaving for a tour of Japan that will see them face Al Nassr, Cerezo Osaka and Inter Milan.
FAQs
"It was the most painful defeat of my career, for sure. I cried for five straight days. It hurt me a lot that my dream had turned to nothing. "I'd have preferred not to have scored the goal, for it to stay 0-0 and lose on penalties, rather than 'I scored the goal, they equalised and we lost on penalties.
Is Neymar retiring after the World Cup? ›
In an interview with CazeTV, Neymar said he had contemplated international retirement after the latest disappointment but was now ready to go again in 2026. "After the [2022] World Cup, I honestly didn't want to [return to the Brazil national team]," he said. "But I've changed my mind.
Can Neymar play in the 2026 World Cup? ›
Neymar has hinted that he will prolong his international career with Brazil through to the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi serving as inspiration. WHAT HAPPENED? The 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward had suggested prior to the 2022 finals in Qatar that he was preparing to bid farewell to FIFA's flagship event.
Where is Neymar going after leaving PSG? ›
Brazil star Neymar has completed a move from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, the clubs confirmed Tuesday.
Is Neymar out for the rest? ›
Neymar is highly unlikely to play again during the 2023/24 season after Al-Hilal confirmed that the Brazilian forward has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.
Will Neymar play his last World Cup? ›
Neymar has hinted he may yet play at the 2026 World Cup, revealing that the "very big dream" still burns to lift the trophy. The 31-year-old Brazilian said in the lead-up to last year's World Cup that it could be his last, while he was left devastated by his country's quarter-final elimination to Croatia.
Will Neymar ever play for Brazil again? ›
“There's no point in skipping steps to recover sooner. Our expectation is that he will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 season in Europe, which is August,” Lasmar told Brazil's Rede 98.
How old was Neymar in 2026? ›
The Football Arena - At the 2026 World Cup: 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo - 41 Years Old 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi - 39 Years Old 🇧🇷 Neymar Jr - 34 Years Old 💔 | Facebook.
Can Messi play next World Cup 2026? ›
Lionel Messi will play at the 2026 World Cup if Argentina retain the Copa America next year, according to Nicolas Tagliafico.
Is Neymar a sister? ›
There's the fact Neymar is one of only 13 players to have won the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League — and he's the only one of those 13 to score in both finals. And Neymar's career in Europe, while not perfect, probably surpasses anything achieved by any other Brazilian forward.
How much is Neymar's salary? ›
What club is Neymar moving to? ›
Neymar transfer — Brazilian superstar moves PSG to Al-Hilal.
Is Neymar retiring? ›
In an interview with CazeTV, Neymar said he had contemplated international retirement after the latest disappointment but was now ready to go again in 2026. "After the [2022] World Cup, I honestly didn't want to [return to the Brazil national team]," he said. "But I've changed my mind.
How many surgeries has Neymar had? ›
In February, while on the books of Paris Saint-Germain, he injured his ankle and was out of action for five months. "It's very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered," Lasmar said. "He's had other injuries and situations before, this was his third surgery.
Is Neymar locked up? ›
Neymar, Brazil's star forward, no longer faces the possibility of being sent to prison after Spanish prosecutors on Friday dropped their charges of fraud and corruption against the soccer player, his parents and several top soccer executives involved in his 2013 transfer to Barcelona.
Is Neymar leaving football? ›
Yet another star has landed in Saudi Arabia. Neymar will continue his career at Al-Hilal, as the move is now official. Negotiations started last week, accelerated over the weekend and now everything has been confirmed.
Will Messi play the 2026 World Cup? ›
Lionel Messi is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026 despite acknowledging that time is working against him. Lionel Messi is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026 despite acknowledging that time is working against him.
Is Neymar ruled out of World Cup? ›
In Short. Brazil forward Neymar has broken his silence after being ruled out of the group stages of the ongoing World Cup after picking up an injury against Serbia on Thursday. The PSG star sustained a knock against Serbia to his ankle and was taken off in the 80th minute.
Will Ronaldo play the 2026 World Cup? ›
The next World Cup may be three years away, but Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly plans to take part in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. He has apparently told Al Nassr that he'd like to extend his contract with the club until at least the beginning of 2027, when he is expected to hang up his boots.
