Dani Alves has urged Neymar not to retire from international football after Brazil crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Croatia on Friday.
The Selecao bowed out of the tournament on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with Neymar netting the opener for Tite's men. However, Bruno Petkovic levelled with three minutes to play to set-up a shootout - the third at the Qatar World Cup and Croatia's second after they beat Japan in the last-16.
It proved to be another exuberating experience for Croatia as they struck all four of their penalties to book their place in the semi-final against Argentina, who beat Netherlands later in the day. Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed from the spot for Brazil as they crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage.
After the game, Neymar revealed he is considering quitting playing for Brazil at the age of 30. The Paris Saint-Germain star equalled Pele's record of 77 international goals following his strike against Croatia.
Neymar said: "I want to take time to think about the national team and think about what I want for myself. I am not closing the door on the national team, but I am not saying 100 percent either that I will come back. I feel really bad at this moment. It is hard to take in everything that has gone on."
Alves has hit back at Neymar and believes he should continue representing his nation ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The 37-year-old, did, however, reiterate that this is his final World Cup, having featured at four previous tournaments for his country - dating back to South Africa in 2010.
"This World Cup was my last one, for me it's time to say that," said Alves. "But I don't think it will be the same for Neymar. He's great, Brazilian football needs him to keep going."
Alves isn't the only Brazil player who will not play at the next World Cup, with Thiago Silva admitting his time is up after Brazil's shock exit from the competition. 38-year-old Silva has been a stalwart at the heart of that Brazil side for many years but he has revealed he will not playing anymore matches at international level.
"Unfortunately I will now never lift the World Cup as a player," said Silva. "Who knows, maybe I will get another chance to lift it in some other role in the future."
It is understood Brazil's players locked themselves in the dressing room for two hours as they reflected on their defeat. The five-time champions have not lifted the World Cup for 20 years - their longest-ever period without the trophy. They flew home to the capital Brasilia this morning, with a stop-off in London to allow European players the ignominy of the reaction back in South America.
