Disbelief in Brazil: “This is what Neymar came for?”

Brazil closes out the worst cycle in its recent history battered, shaken, and stripped of its pride. Erling Haaland extinguished whatever thread of hope remained for the Seleção on a bleak afternoon. Carlo Ancelotti’s team had opportunities - several of them - to take the lead against Norway, but a lack of finishing and killer instinct ultimately sank the most decorated national team in soccer history. Long faces, pouting expressions, tears - and even then, only five players were willing to face the media.

For more than two hours after the final whistle, reporters waited for Brazil’s funeral procession to emerge in the mixed zone at MetLife Stadium. During that time, one question kept circulating among journalists: “Who’s going to have the courage to speak now? Who’s going to take responsibility for this mess?” The answer: nobody. In a decision that stunned the nearly 50 reporters gathered in the mixed zone, Brazil decided there would be no formal interviews. Only those players with enough strength to speak on behalf of the group would stop: Bruno Guimarães, Matheus Cunha, Casemiro, Danilo, and Vinícius Júnior. “Shameful. It’s disgraceful that Brazil allowed this,” said a reporter from a major European outlet.

The whistles and insults became the requiem for a generation that will be remembered more for its failures than its accomplishments. “Eliminated and nobody wants to talk. Nice. Great attitude,” could be heard as players walked past. Neymar darted through the area, trying to hide behind signs and avoid being seen. It was impossible. A large share of the blame for what unfolded at this World Cup has fallen on the shoulders of Brazil’s No. 10.

Many have not forgiven him for spending the last year pushing relentlessly for a return to the Seleção through social media campaigns, endorsements from public figures, and support from former teammates. Yet when the moment of truth arrived, the No. 10 failed to deliver. Critics - and not unfairly - pointed out that he was out of shape while still demanding a starring role. In just 30 minutes on the field, every flaw was exposed. He is not Cristiano Ronaldo, let alone Lionel Messi.

“Quite a contribution from Neymar,” Globo commentators said after the match, following his involvement in the final melee with the Norwegians. “For those who expected him to win the World Cup for Brazil, there he is starting a fight in the closing minutes. This is what he came for? He entered the game with the score 0-0 and failed to make any difference.”

The worst was still to come. Waiting for the players in the mixed zone, members of the media tore into the No. 10. “He’s spent a year dragging himself around the field and there were still people demanding he be called up,” one journalist said. “Now those same people are saying he’s finished and that leaving João Pedro or Estêvão at home was a mistake. Imagine what they must be thinking now after watching this.” Another added: “The one good thing about this disaster is that maybe we’ll finally get a break from the Neymar circus around the national team.”

“It’s hard to find the words because nobody expected this,” said Guimarães, the first player to stop and offer a mea culpa, with the rest eventually following suit. “Football brings joy so many times, but sometimes it gives you days like these. I thought I was having a good World Cup, but unfortunately I’m devastated by the penalty. We’re angry. All we can do is apologize to the fans, who have always supported us.”

A new cycle

Because if there is one positive to draw from this defeat - the nation’s worst World Cup exit since 1990 - it is that a new generation will now have the opportunity to rebuild the burning house left behind by the old one. This was far from an ideal cycle; in fact, it may have been Brazil’s worst since 1950. Since Tite stepped down after Qatar, four different coaches occupied the bench: an interim manager balancing the national team with his club duties (Fernando Diniz at Fluminense), a homegrown appointment (Ramon Menezes), and an empty suit in Dorival Júnior before Carlo Ancelotti finally arrived and was asked to perform a miracle with the remains he inherited.

It was never going to be easy. First, because too much responsibility was placed on the shoulders of a rising talent like Endrick. Expectations for him are enormous, but they became so inflated that some were already asking him to be Pelé or Kylian Mbappé, to replicate their exploits at Sweden 1958 and Russia 2018. Once again, Ancelotti and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) were right. Endrick looked anxious - perhaps too anxious - to prove himself on every touch. The clearest example was the one-on-one chance he squandered against Ørjan Nyland midway through the match.

And Brazil does not wait. If there is one thing the country craves, it is heroes, and for now Endrick is not ready for that burden. Others must take the next step and lead the new wave of talent, including the Taguatinga prodigy himself, Estêvão, João Pedro, Souza, Gabriel Mec, Rayan, Vitor Roque, and Vitor Reis, among many others.

One thing was always clear within the CBF: the 2026 World Cup was viewed as little more than a test run. Expectations were low. The prevailing attitude was essentially, “whatever happens, happens,” although nobody anticipated an exit this early. The real focus has always been on 2030, when Spain, Morocco, and Portugal will host the tournament.

By then, Brazil hopes its next generation of stars will be fully established, mature enough to take on the challenge represented by a sixth World Cup title - a prize that has become increasingly elusive. The drought is now the longest in the nation’s history without winning the World Cup. Far too long.

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