Brazil's Neymar considered drastic move after World Cup loss

"I can't tell you what went through my head," the Paris Saint-Germain forward said to YouTuber Casimiro, per an ESPN report. "It was the most painful defeat of my career, for sure. I cried for five straight days. It hurt me a lot that my dream had turned to nothing."

Neymar hasn't played for Brazil since the early-December penalty shootout defeat, according to the report.

Following a 0-0 battle through regulation, the 31-year-old scored what was presumably going to be the game-winning goal in the 106th minute -- a strike that tied him with the late Pele for the country's all-time record in men's soccer. Croatia's Bruno Petkovic put in the equalizer to send the contest to penalties, however, where the victors connected on all four of their PKs.

Neymar never got an attempt in the final round of kicks.

"I'd have preferred not to have scored the goal, for it to stay 0-0 and lose on penalties, rather than 'I scored the goal, they equalized and we lost on penalties.' It's a pain that only the players and staff can understand," he said. "It was the worst moment of my life. It felt like a funeral, someone crying on one side of you, someone else crying on the other. It was horrible, a feeling I don't want to experience that again."

After the match, the son of Croatian winger Ivan Perisic consoled Neymar at midfield.

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicked off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand. Brazil's opening game will be on Monday against Panama.

The Brazilian men's squad has won a record five World Cups, but none since 2002.

Neymar has been on the national team in each of the last three World Cups, in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Brazil was throttled 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 event and fell 2-1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals of the 2018 tournament.

Despite his initial thoughts of retirement, Neymar said recently that he'll be ready to roll for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across North America.

"After the World Cup, I didn't want to go through the pain of losing again," he said. "Seeing my family suffering a lot, that weighs heavily on me. But they will have to put up with it again. It will be good. It has to be."