- ABC News
- July 20, 2023
Neymar said he "cried for five days straight" after Brazil's 2022 World Cup exit and added that he considered international retirement after their quarterfinal defeat to Croatia. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 31, hasn't played for his country since the penalty shootout loss on Dec. 9. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Neymar put Brazil ahead with what looked like the winning goal in extra time before Croatia levelled with three minutes remaining and went on to win the shootout to progress to the semifinals. "I can't tell you what went through my head," Neymar told YouTuber Casimiro. "It was the most painful defeat of my career, for sure. I cried for five straight days. It hurt me a lot that my dream had turned to nothing. "I'd have preferred not to have scored the goal, for it to stay 0-0 and lose on penalties, rather than 'I scored the goal, they equalised and we lost on penalties.' It's a...