With no limelight, Neymar may have ended his career playing in World Cups, after the game in which Brazil was eliminated by Croatia during the quarterfinals. The striker arrived in Qatar after saying that this would be his last World Cup, although, at 30, he is old enough to participate in the competition to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. However, past national team stars were not able to play in a World Cup at 34
Pelé played his last one in 1970 when he was three months away from turning 30. Garrincha went to England, in 1966, aged 33. He is the same age as Didi in Chile, in 1962, and Zico in 1986. In Argentina, in 1978, Rivellino was 32 years old. Ronaldo turned 30 in Germany in 2006, while Ronaldinho Gaúcho was just 26.
CBF officials have no idea what Neymar's future expectations are regarding the Brazilian national team. After the elimination against Croatia, he said he doesn't know if he'll be back. The statement was seen as normal in the heat of the moment, right after the fall that hit him hard.
He has eight goals scored in the history of the tournament, in 13 matches. There were four in 2014, two in 2018, and two more in Qatar, in 2022. Alongside Rivaldo, he is the 6th highest scorer of the Brazilian national team in World Cups. He is behind Ronaldo (15), Pelé (12), Ademir de Menezes, Vavá, and Jairzinho (all with nine goals each).
Translated by Cassy Dias