Neymar’s dream of winning the World Cup with Brazil has burst again. The superstar followed in Pelé’s footsteps against Croatia, but instead of jubilation there were tears. It could have been Neymar’s last chance.
In the penalty shoot-out, Neymar was left only as a spectator. The Brazilian superstar sent prayers to the Qatari sky from the halfway line and cheered on his team-mates. However, with Rodrygo and Marquinhos missing their penalties and the Croatians all staying cool, the dream of a world title was shattered once again. Neymar, who was supposed to be the fifth shooter, didn’t get a chance at all. Instead, he collapsed and shed tears. A picture that we are now familiar with.
Neymar fails again prematurely
At the 2014 World Cup in his own country, he broke a cervical vertebra after a brutal foul in the quarter-finals against Colombia and sent the whole country into shock. The pain was then only increased by the subsequent 7-1 debacle in the semifinals against Germany. At the 2018 World Cup, Neymar attracted attention mainly through numerous swallows, in the quarter-finals it was the final stop against Belgium. And now: 2:4 on penalties against Croatia. It’s all over again. Again no title for Neymar.
It should be the sixth title for Brazil
Before the World Cup in Qatar, the now 30-year-old spoke often and happily of winning the World Cup. In a much-discussed Instagram photo, Neymar had already virtually added a sixth star to his pants for his sixth World Cup title. He later deleted the image, which caused a lot of emotions and a lot of hatred. The goal was still clear: “Our dream is to crown this World Cup with the title,” he said. In Neymar’s third attempt it should finally work. But nothing came of it.
Neymar makes Brazil better
His appearances at this tournament definitely deserved more. In the first game against Serbia, Neymar braced himself against the impending draw despite a sore ankle injury that then forced him to rest for several days and was only substituted when the game was decided. He initiated Richarlison’s first goal with a strong individual action, and he also had his feet in the game for the second.
In his celebrated comeback in the round of 16 against South Korea, for which he said he had toiled day and night in rehab, he raised Brazil to a completely different level and, together with his teammates, showed what was probably the best offensive performance of the tournament. Brazil danced, Brazil cheered, Brazil paid homage to King Neymar. All critical voices fell silent. Neymar, who is not only loved in his home country, seemed to be on the right track.
Neymar against Croatia for a few minutes the hero
And against Croatia, too, it looked like a classic heroic story for a while. Neymar sometimes seemed a bit sluggish and uninvolved, especially on the defensive. However, the fact that he had the third-best mileage of just under 13 kilometers and put in 47 sprints underscores his enormous value for the team. Neymar offends with his sometimes arrogant style of play. But when it matters most, he’s there. His goal in extra time was as remarkable as it was historic. The fact that he drew level with legend Pelé with his 77th goal for the Selecao ultimately atrophied to a side note.
Neymar is missing the world title as a legend
The fact is that Neymar didn’t make it again. His career is dazzling, but lacks the crowning glory. In order to finally become a legend in Brazil, a world title is a must. Pelé has won three of them, Romario and Bebeto celebrated in 1994, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo climbed the football Olympus in 2002. Socrates, Zico, Roberto Carlos, Kaka and Cafu are also world champions. Neymar is not – and may never be again.
Was that his last World Cup?
Because if he keeps his word, he will no longer be on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup. “I think this will be my last World Cup. I think so because I don’t know if I still have the strength in my head to continue playing football,” Neymar announced before the tournament started.
Accordingly, the 2022 World Cup would have been his last chance to advance into the phalanx of the really big. That last chance has been history since the quarterfinals against Croatia. Neymar faces the fate of an unfinished.