Sawt Falasteen - Neymar says 'no guarantee' he will play for Brazil again

Speaking after his side's World Cup quarter-final defeat in Qatar, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar suggested he could step away.

"I am not closing any doors on the national team but I am also not guaranteeing 100 percent that I will return," said an emotional Neymar, 30.

"I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team."

Neymar equalled Pele's record tally of 77 goals for Brazil with a brilliant strike on Friday but Bruno Petkovic levelled with minutes remaining.

The Brazilian did not take a penalty in the shootout. Rodrygo's effort was saved by Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos hit the post, while Croatia scored all four of their efforts to win the shootout 4-2.

Four years ago in Russia Neymar and Brazil suffered elimination at the same stage at the hands of Belgium.

In 2014 the Selecao were humiliated 7-1 in the semi-finals by Germany without Neymar, who missed the game with an injury.

"It is an awful feeling, I think this is a worse feeling than what happened at the last World Cup," said Neymar. "It is difficult to find the words to describe this moment.

"We fought and I am proud of my teammates, proud of the character they showed to step up and take penalties."

Brazil coach Tite confirmed he was stepping down after the match.

"It is a painful defeat but I go in peace," he said. "It is the end of a cycle."

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST