Analysis: Neymar's end in World Cups is melancholic
The Brazilian team was eliminated by Norway this Sunday (5), after a 2-1 defeat in the round of 16 match of the World Cup. The result also marked the end of Neymar's time wearing the yellow-green team's shirt in the World Cup.
For Bruno Rodrigues, reporter for CNN Brasil, the end of the player's career in the competition is melancholic, in a campaign that ended as the worst in the country since the 1990 edition.
"Talking about Neymar in the 2026 World Cup is talking about a player who, yes, tried and made an effort to be among the 26, but he shouldn't have been called. Ancelotti called him because he thought he would do good for the group, that he would do good for the athletes. They would have, in Neymar, a great shield to escape their responsibilities", analyzed Bruno.
With the elimination, the Brazilian team will reach its longest streak without World Cup titles, reaching the 28-year mark in 2030.
"Brazil falls, Neymar says goodbye to the World Cup and the Brazilian team will have to start over again. Now, without their number 10. Let's see who will actually take over the place and shadow left by the Santos player", he added.
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"A melancholic end, which ends with Brazil's elimination to Norway and a penalty goal that was just the prelude to the Brazilian team's fall in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar played in four World Cups in his career. In the first in 2014, played in Brazil, he had a serious back injury and missed, for example, the embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-final. In 2018, at the peak of his form, or at what should have been the peak of his physical and technical form, he was not a protagonist. In 2022, he scored the goal that would give Brazil qualification against Croatia, but then Brazil were equalized by the Croatians and, on penalties, were eliminated.
In yet another World Cup, Neymar failed to live up to expectations and was once again not the protagonist. Talking about Neymar in the 2026 World Cup is talking about a player who, yes, tried and made an effort to be among the 26, but shouldn't have been called up. Ancelotti called because he thought it would be good for the group, that it would be good for the athletes. That they would have, in Neymar, a great shield to escape their responsibilities.
In the end, Brazil falls, Neymar says goodbye to the World Cups and the Brazilian team will have to start over again. Now, without his number 10 shirt. Let's see who will actually take over the vacancy and the shadow left by the Santos player."
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Source: CNN