Tite steps down as Brazil coach, Neymar hints at retiring
Neymar said he “cannot 100% guarantee” he will continue playing for Brazil after their World Cup exit, while coach Tite confirmed he will step down.
The favourites went out at the quarter-final stage for the second World Cup running, losing on penalties to 2018 runners-up Croatia after a 1-1 draw.
Tite, 61, says he “goes in peace” after six years as Brazil manager.
But Neymar, 30, will take stock before confirming his decision, adding: “I need to think a bit more about this.”
The Paris St-Germain forward equalled Pele’s ‘official’ goalscoring record of 77 in 124 appearances for the Brazil men’s national team after firing them into the lead against Croatia in extra time.
But Bruno Petkovic’s 117th-minute equaliser and Brazil’s subsequent 4-2 defeat on penalties left the former Barcelona player with a decision to make.
“I am not closing any doors on the national team but I am also not guaranteeing 100% that I will return,” said Neymar, who made his international debut aged 18.
“I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team.”
Neymar played in three World Cups for the Selecao, helping them reach the semi-finals in his home country in 2014 before missing the 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany in the last four through injury.
