Neymar's last World Cup marks the end of the "7×1 era" in the Brazilian team
For the first time in 16 years, the Brazilian team will start a World Cup cycle without Neymar. After the defeat to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the player announced that he had ended his career with Amarelinha.
Retirement marks the end of the "7×1 era", of players who not only experienced the so-called "Neymardependency", coined since the striker established himself as one of the country's main weapons, but who also witnessed the biggest embarrassment in Brazil's history in World Cups - the defeat by Germany.
"Neymardependência": outside the 2010 World Cup, Neymar became a "savior"
Hurt by the traumatic eliminations experienced since 2006, Brazilians saw in Neymar the hope of a new story. In 2010, he was left out by Dunga's choice, still very young. In 2014, he was injured.
During that cycle, the culture was created that the protagonist would be enough to carry the team, already under intense distrust, towards the long-awaited six.
Neymar became responsible for pulling the rabbit out of the hat in each game. That's not what happened.
Last player to score 7-1 in a World Cup
At 34 years old, Neymar was the last name still serving for the national team who was also on Luiz Felipe Scolari's list in 2014.
Even off the field - he fractured his lumbar vertebra after being kneed by Colombian Camilo Zuñiga - the player was part of the group and was already seen, at that time, as the great savior of the country.
At the time, the game took place at Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza. In a dispute over the ball, the former Colombian national team defender kneed Neymar in the back, who immediately fell, feeling severe pain. The match was interrupted and the Brazilian had to leave the field on a stretcher, after 41 minutes, very emotional.
After medical evaluation, tests revealed a fracture in the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra, known as L3. In simple terms, the injury affected a lateral structure of the vertebra, responsible for the connection with muscles and ligaments in the region.
Despite the scare, the fracture was considered stable, as it did not affect the spinal cord nor presented a risk of paralysis or permanent sequelae.
Neymar in 2018 and 2022
Tite arrived in the Brazilian team and Neymar's status has not changed. Still seen as the team's star player, he arrived in Russia after injuring the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Even though he was far from ideal physical conditions, he scored two goals, Brazil fell to Belgium and Neymar was marked by falls and reactions considered exaggerated to fouls suffered in games.
In 2022, Neymar could even emerge as a hero. After being left out of the team due to injury in the group stage, he returned in the quarter-finals against Croatia and scored a brilliant goal at the start of extra time.
What remained, however, was the image of the player not even taking the penalty as Brazil was eliminated before taking it, which would be the last.
More than ever, Brazil will have to be a team
The Seleção is already getting used to playing without Neymar, who has not been a starter since his ligament injury, and his official departure puts an end to a ghost that, at certain times, may have even harmed the performance of his heirs.
Carlo Ancelotti, who can no longer count on the Santos player, will have to control expectations and deal with other problems: the absence of an absolute heir and the division of responsibilities that need to be assumed by those who have taken the field.
From September onwards, in the friendly game against Australia, there will no longer be an issue to monopolize the debate. The main players will have to take the reins of the five-time champion shirt and turn the page thinking about 2030.
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Source: CNN