Will Neymar take a break from the Brazilian National Team?
By Manuel Meza
Terribly disappointed by the elimination of Brazil in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Neymar is now preparing to return to his usual lifestyle at PSG.
According to L'Equipe, the Parisian number 10 could well take a break with the Brazilian National Team, at least for the next friendlies, before considering a return.
The elimination of Brazil must be difficult for Neymar to digest. After a remarkable start to the season with PSG, the Brazilian no. 10 saw his dream of lifting the World Cup with his national team crumble one more time.
Injured just entering the tournament and barely 70 minutes into the initial match, the 30-year-old forward had redoubled his efforts to return to the competition and help his teammates reach the final. That could mean trouble for PSG in the long run, but that's a story for another day.
An extra-time goalscorer against Croatia, the former Santos man thought he had done the hardest part before seeing his teammates concede the equalizer late in the game, ultimately losing the match on the penalty shootout.
Neymar could take a break from the Brazilian National Team
Resting for a few days to recharge his batteries and assimilate an immense disappointment, the Auriverde star is not expected this Monday at the Camp des Loges, just like Marquinhos.
In its edition of the day, L'Equipe affirms that the PSG striker could take a break with the Brazil team. Like teammate Lionel Messi, who distanced himself from the Albiceleste meetings held immediately after the defeats in the 2016 Copa America final and the 2018 World Cup, Neymar could very well rest a little bit before returning to Brazil's national team.
Shaken by the elimination of Brazil -- not before tying Pele's record with 77 goals scored with the national team -- Neymar put in doubt his continuity in the national side.
It should be noted that the Brazilian team will play friendly matches during the next international break. Meetings that, therefore, Neymar should not be expected to play.