Style and flair, along with an abundance of goals, have been missing for quite some time. The five-time World Cup champions must achieve victory in a manner that surpasses their previous achievements, as it has never been sufficient in the past and it still isn’t.
It’s no surprise, then, that Neymar, the man responsible for bringing happiness to Brazil games, is reaching the end of his patience.
In DAZN’s latest documentary, Neymar & The Line Of Kings, the Paris Saint-Germain sensation expressed, “I believe Qatar 2022 will be my final World Cup.”
I don’t know about any football deals that come to mind because I see it as a testament to my strength.
I hope it can do. And I never imagined that my greatest dream would come true, to win everything with my country, so I will do everything I can to make it happen.
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After the uninspiring goalless draw against Colombia on Sunday, which marked the Selecao’s first failure to secure a victory in this World Cup qualifying competition, coach Tite confidently declared to journalists that Neymar performed admirably, as did the entire team. In the aftermath of this surprising news, Neymar’s fellow Brazilian teammates showed their support for him.
“Perhaps he is anticipated to consistently accomplish extraordinary feats and consistently have an impact.”
“In the national team, we are extremely pleased with him despite being aware of the pressure he experiences. Fred, the midfielder for Manchester United, remarked that he possesses a unique playing style. He is outstanding because he consistently delivers remarkable moments, although not on every occasion.”
We want him to stay in the team for a long time because he is a fantastic player and his football skills are exceptional. However, it will be a challenge for us to keep him with us for many years.
The draw in Bogota, coming hot on the heels of an unconvincing comeback victory over Venezuela, encapsulated Neymar’s dilemma in international colours.
The star player of PSG was obligated to play with a fierce marking on his face, showing his continual desperation and the little help coming to him from those around him, again and again.
Ronaldo or Romario, Jairzinho, Garrincha, like idols winning the World Cup or other legends of the Selecao, he seems to be drifting further away from being named in the same breath as the legendary Pele, who holds the all-time scoring record for Brazil with a staggering eight goals more than him. Despite this, in his last seven international games, he has only managed to score two goals.
At this point, Neymar might well be forgiven for casting an envious glance over at his great friend and new PSG team-mate.
Lionel Messi may be the senior Brazilian’s for five years, but he has rarely glimpsed the verve and joy of playing with the Argentina line leading spent in the decade-and-a-half.
The Albiceleste, after defeating their arch-rivals in the Copa America final, continue to dominate the world rankings with 24 consecutive victorious and undefeated matches, while reveling in their exceptional performance.
High school graduates of a traveling ensemble as brave and adventurous as this present Argentina embodiment appear to be a representative squad, rather than impromptu.
Gomez Alejandro and Martinez Emiliano, Paul de Rodrigo, enjoys exchanging witty jokes with his colleagues while having fun. He fills his Instagram feed with candid photos that resemble a confident teenager. Now, both on the pitch and in the newly-populated rafters of Monumental Estadio, they celebrate each win and goal with pure delight, just like Messi.
Following Uruguay’s 3-0 victory on Monday, he exclaimed, “I am ecstatic, may this jubilation never cease! I express my gratitude once again for the profound emotions you evoke within me. The connection between the team and the fans uplifts us, it sustains us during difficult times. The incredible backing from the supporters is awe-inspiring, and each time we encounter and relish this, it improves exponentially.”
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As time passes, his Brazilian equivalent appears to perceive international responsibilities as increasingly burdensome, conversely.
Neymar’s two attempts at the World Cup ended in disappointment, as he was unable to achieve the win in Copa 2019, which has historically been seen as a minor prize by local fans, due to a pre-tournament injury.
Since he was still a child, Pele’s natural talent as the heir to the title of the greatest nation’s greatest man has brought Brazil a little precious celebration and fair share of pain, signalled by their gold in the 2016 Olympic Games.
In crucial moments, they have the ability to overcome strong adversaries. Following the setback of being defeated by Messi’s Argentina in the final of July, they will be in Qatar, guiding a squad that has slightly more than a year to discover their rhythm. Standing at a critical juncture, he now faces the age of 29, unless there is another injury or unexpected disaster.
Despite the stormy clouds hanging over Brazil, Neymar might consider his task in the international game to be complete as he and his team are counted among the favorites. They have depth and all-round talent, which suggests that they should win.
In 2026, when he is 34 years old and in the twilight of his career, he will have another chance to go for the big prize. He has the desire to push himself for four more years, but it remains to be seen whether he will decide to do so. However, if Tite’s men fall short again, he may reconsider.
With Uruguay’s match on Thursday, supporters in the Amazonian metropolis of Manaus gathered eagerly to welcome their idols, with Neymar’s name and that of Flamengo sensation Gabriel Barbosa resonating the most. The striker continues to maintain a passionate fan base in his native country.
On the other hand, Raphinha, the new boy from Brazil, is likely to be rewarded with a starting berth for the qualifier against Colombia, earning credit with a few players from Venezuela as they come away with a victory on the pitch for Leeds United.
On Sunday, Raphinha injected a new life into Neymar and Selecao with his fearless dribbling and trickery, proving that this could be the perfect stage for them after their drubbing at the hands of Argentina and reeling from Uruguay. They showed professionalism and a relentless drive for results, without compromising their vivre de joie and individual expression.
Neymar’s career in Qatar may prove to be the defining moment of what started the countdown, but his story is far from over in Brazil.
If he is unable to reach the heights of his idols, he may ultimately fall as just another good performer. It is likely that his place among Brazil’s past glittering idols will be determined all at once, and whether he deserves that place will depend on how he handles the burden and pressure.