Brazil national team’s number 10, Neymar Jr., has indicated that his journey with the national team has come to an end after their elimination in this World Cup, closing a cycle of highs and lows.
The pitch at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was the stage for a melancholic outpouring of emotion. Following their elimination and recent defeat, star player Neymar Jr. made it clear that the penalty goal he scored against Norway likely represents the final act of his long journey defending Brazil‘s colors. With a visibly dejected expression, the player implied that he would no longer wear the five-time champions’ jersey.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, I finished here.”
A Cycle Closes in the Same Place
Neymar‘s story with the Brazil national team carries a sense of predetermined destiny. It was on the same North American soil, in New Jersey, that the then-prodigy from Santos scored his first goal for the national squad, in a friendly match against the United States. At that time, the young forward still wore the number 11 jersey and played on the left wing, far from the responsibility of carrying the legendary number 10 he would assume years later.
Between the Brilliance of 2013 and World Cup Frustrations
The star’s technical peak with the national team occurred at the 2013 Confederations Cup, where Brazil won the title with stellar performances, including a dominant victory over Spain. However, the dream of a World Cup title always remained the biggest obstacle. From 2014, marked by an injury against Colombia, to the painful setbacks in 2018 and 2022, the number 10 contended with the weight of expectations and constant physical issues.
A Legacy of Records and Olympic Redemption
Despite not having achieved a World Cup title, Neymar leaves behind impressive numbers. He departs as the all-time leading scorer in official matches for the Brazil national team, with 80 goals in 130 appearances, surpassing Pelé‘s record. Among his moments of glory, the unprecedented gold medal win at the 2016 Olympics, held at the Maracanã, remains the most impactful image of his leadership, where he took responsibility for converting the decisive penalty against Germany.
Neymar‘s departure marks the end of an era in Brazilian football. Regardless of differing opinions about his career, the fact remains that the country bids farewell to one of the greatest talents in its history. Now, the CBF and Brazilian fans begin to reflect on the future, facing the challenge of rejuvenating the team’s spirit for upcoming cycles, while the idol closes a chapter that began promisingly and concluded with the weight of time and exhaustion.
