ANDOn planet Neymar there is no room for indifference. Brazil, the queen of the ball, the territory of excesses, only understands a World Cup in extreme terms: a success enthrones you; a mistake, it’s a life sentence. Ancelotti, the one in charge of taming that atmosphere, has unexpectedly trusted Neymar for the appointment of the United States, Mexico and Canada. Italian can be the counter jinx of Ney, who has experienced sporting, physical and psychological torture in his three previous World Cups.
At 34 years old, the event of the United States, Mexico and Canada is presented as the last float for Neymar to grab the World Cup trophy. Neymar and his non-standard football have hovered over the national team since the 2010 World Cup. Despite this, he has always been clear about it: “There is only one King and it is Pelé.”
Dunga was clear about it in 2010
He did not attend the South African event due to Dunga’s decision. The coach withstood the pressure that surrounded him to call up Ronaldinho, who was trying to revive himself at Milan, and Neymar, Pelé’s umpteenth heir at Santos.
Dunga, champion in 1994 as a Brazilian pivot specialized in scratching, had Kaká as a great star and opted for Robinho, Luis Fabiano, Nilmar and Grafite as forwards. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Netherlands (2-1), Spain’s subsequent rival in the final.
Premiere with knee
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil It was presented as the ideal event for the team to plug the wound open since 1950 with the Maracanazo. Neymar was amazing at Barça and with Scolari at the helm he arrived as an icon of a team with other illustrious players such as Dani Alves, Marcelo, Thiago Silva or Hulk.
This was Neymar’s injury in the World Cup in Brazil
Brazil started relentlessly with a 4-1 against Modric’s Croatia. Neymar scored a double. In the next match they signed a goalless draw against Mexico. To finish the first phase another win against Cameroon with the second double of the Brazilian artist.
Neymar was going to be hunted, this is what had been seen in the previous games. There has not been a single yellow card
The anguish began in the round of 16. Brazil tied 1 against Chile. In the penalty shootout Neymar marked his shot to Claudio Bravo. The canarinha advanced to the quarterfinals. I was hoping Colombia with James’ left foot as a threat. Everything changed in the 88th minute.
Brazil was winning 2-1 at the time. A ball at mid-height reaches Neymar and the Colombian Zúñiga kneed him in the back. The Brazilian, between screams of pain, remains lying on the grass. He leaves the game on a stretcher under the shock of the witnesses. The diagnosis is devastating: Neymar suffers a fracture of the third lumbar vertebra and will miss the rest of the championship.
World Cup 2014: Summary and goals of Brazil 1-7 Germany
Neymar’s testimony about that episode is heartbreaking: “It was one of the worst moments of my career. It ruined my dream of playing in a World Cup, of playing in a semi-final, the final. When I hurt my back, Marcelo tried to help me get up, but I couldn’t. “I tried to move my legs, but I couldn’t, I didn’t have the strength to get up,” he commented on DAZN.
almost invalid
The Brazilian recalled that in the infirmary “my leg was bent and the doctors stretched it. I felt a shock. I couldn’t move my feet. And I started crying desperately.” The doctors assured that by two centimeters Neymar had not remained in a wheelchair forever.
After the knee against Colombia I couldn’t move my feet and I started crying desperately
Neymar leaves the 2014 World Cup by helicopter after the injury suffered against Colombia
Without its great star, Brazil faces the quarterfinals against Germany. The chosen eleven is photographed with Neymar’s shirt. The Germans shake up the history of football. At half-time, to the astonishment of the planet, Germany wins 0-5. In the end, 1-7 in what is called forever Mineirazo. Neymar’s first participation in a World Cup could not end in a more explosive way.
Failure in quarters
To the 2018 World Cup in Russia Neymar comes under the banner of PSG, his team after abandoning Barça after paying a clause of 222 million. In this selection made by Tite, they accompany him among others Casemiro, Alisson, Coutinho, Marcelo or Gabriel Jesús.
The debut is against Switzerland with a 1-1 draw in which it appears that the rivals will choose Neymar as a target after suffering nine fouls. In the second match, Brazil beat Costa Rica 2-0, with a goal from Ney. The first phase ends with a 0-2 victory against Serbia.
World Cup 2018 Summary and goals of Brazil 1-2 Belgium
Mexico awaits in the round of 16, a rival whom Brazil defeated 2-0 with goals from Neymar and Firmino. Belgium is in the quarterfinals. Brazil gets stuck against the Belgians of Courtois, De Bruyne or Hazard and succumbs in a sad match 1-2. The World Cup has passed without noise because of Neymar. It is his second World Cup event to forget.
Alarm in Qatar
At the Qatar event in 2022, Brazil continues to be led by Tite. With Neymar as a reference, Vinicius, Casemiro, Raphinha, Marquinhos and Rodrygo appear alongside him. The World Cup couldn’t start worse for Ney. The first match pits the yellows against Serbia. The Serbians prioritize drying up the Brazilian dribbler, who suffers 9 of the 12 fouls that they whistle at the Balkans. In one of them, Neymar’s ankle says enough. The sprained ankle leaves him without any more games in the first phase.
2018 World Cup Neymar dropped into the area looking for a penalty
The setback is brutal. Neymar, dejected, points out that this injury “is one of the most difficult moments of my sporting career. Nothing in my life was given to me and this happens to me again in a World Cup.” Without Neymar, Brazil beats Switzerland and Cameroon 1-0.
For the round of 16 the match places Brazil with South Korea. Neymar’s ankle is recovered. The Brazilians give no option and beat their rival 4-1 with goals from Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison and Paquetá. There is beginning to be talk about a possible Brazil-Argentina final, the match that has never occurred in history.
A batch to cry
Before, Croatia, runner-up in the world, expected with symptoms of physical wear and tear due to the seniority of some of its pieces, commanded by Modric. The match is a knot for Brazil. Croatia, taking refuge, endures the minutes until extra time is reached. In the last minute of the first half of the extension Neymar scores a great goal. It is enough for Brazil to close the door.
Qatar 2022 World Cup. Quarterfinals: Summary and goals of Croatia 1 (4)-(2) 1 Brazil
In the 117th minute, on a counterattack, an anomaly for a team that is behind, Petkovic equalized. It is Croatia’s first shot on goal. They expect penalties that separate glory from hell. Croatia beats Brazil 4-2 after throwing errors by Rodrygo and Marquinhos.
Neymar doesn’t even throw his because he had reserved the last turn. The Brazilian breaks down crying on the pitch and needs the support of his teammates to console him and lift him up. The curse writes a new episode.
I don’t want stars, Neymar has the same role that the others contribute. Can help create a good environment
The arrival of Ancelotti as a ‘rockstar’ to give the World Cup list
Will the fourth time be the charm?
By 2026, after years without a site, few expected its inclusion on the list. Neymar celebrated the call as he deserved: “I’m already there, I’m there.” Carlo Ancelotti, more cautious, explained the call and recalled that in the national team “I don’t want stars. Neymar has the same role as the others, to contribute. It can help create a good atmosphere.” The Italian has given him the ticket for a new exam, the fourth in a World Cup. Neymar fights against a curse.