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SOCCER | NEYMAR

Neymar: World Cup 2022 will be my last

Brazil and PSG superstar Neymar has revealed that he will try to win the World Cup with the Seleção for the last time in 2022.

Jonathan Meaney
Jonathan Meaney
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Brazil's Neymar gestures during the South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Venezuela and Brazil at the UCV Olympic Stadium in Caracas on October 7, 2021. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)
YURI CORTEZAFP

Brazil star Neymar has dropped a bombshell on the footballing world with his admission that Qatar 2022 could be his last World Cup.

The 29-year-old striker revealed his decision on his recently released Neymar & The Line Of Kings documentary produced by DAZN, in which he confessed: “I think it will be my last World Cup. I am facing it like the last World Cup because I don’t know whether I will be able to, mentally, endure more soccer.”

Neymar has participated in two World Cups for Brazil, in 2014 and 2018, both of which turned out to be major disappointments for the Seleção. In 2014, Brazil lost 7-1 on home soil to Germany in the semi-final -- a match that was later coined the “Agony of Mineirão”.

Four years later at Russia 2018, Brazil fell at the final quarter final stage following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium. During and after that tournament, Neymar himself was the subject of much criticism and ridicule for his apparent playacting when challenged by opponent players.

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Neymar: I will do all I can to win World Cup

Following those two bitter endings in 2014 and 2018, the PSG striker admitted he will try to lead Brazil to World Cup glory one last time in Qatar next winter.

“I will do everything possible to get there very well,” he said. “I will do all I can to win it with my country and realize my dream, the biggest since my boyhood. I hope I can achieve it.”

Brazil currently lead the ten-team CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying tournament with an incredible nine wins from nine, sitting eight points ahead of second-placed Argentina.

After Thursday’s 3-1 away win against Venezuela, Tite’s team face Colombia in Barranquilla on Sunday, where they are expected to make it 10 wins on the bounce against a struggling Colombia team that has managed just three victories from 10 outings in the World Cup qualifying tournament.

After missing the game against Venezuela through injury, Neymar has returned to the squad for the clash with Colombia this Sunday.