Neymar retirement bombshell drops just days after Brazil's World Cup elimination

Neymar may well have played his last game of football after a report claimed retiring from football is one of the possible scenarios.

After much debate and conversation in Brazil, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar was included in Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Neymar went into the tournament with an injury and went on to play 40 minutes, scoring a consolation penalty in the round of 16 loss to Norway in New Jersey on Sunday.

After the loss, the 34-year-old appeared to confirm his retirement from international as he was quoted as saying: "It started here at Met Life Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over".

However, a report from UOL claims that Neymar could well retire from football altogether after the latest disappointment.

An article featuring contributions from three journalists states that Neymar "will return to Brazil with his next career steps open, and people close to the player do not rule out the possibility that he will decide to retire".

Following on from World Cup elimination, Neymar is resting with his family in Florida before he makes a hugely important decision on his future.

Neymar is currently back playing with boyhood club Santos in a second spell and has a contract which runs until December.

But while it is listed as the most likely scenario, it is not a "certainty" that he will head back to Santos as he contemplates his future over the coming days and does so "at his own pace".

Having made his debut back in 2009, Neymar is said to have grown tired and believes he has not received an adequate level of recognition from the Brazilian press, leading to complaints to friends.

He had hoped the World Cup would reignite his love for football but he was "dejected" after another World Cup exit.

Santos are awaiting his return to the fold but there has not yet been any contact in regards to when he will come back.

It's said that there are three potential scenarios going forward, one being that he returns to Santos as normal and a second option being that he signs for a new club in "a less pressured football environment".

Neymar's father makes feeling clear on what his next step should be

Previously one of the very best players in the world and a Ballon d'Or contender, Neymar's career has taken a huge dive.

He remains the most expensive player in world football after his £198 million move to PSG in 2017. Yet his stock dropped considerably after he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal for £77.6 million as he played just seven times in an injury-hit stint.

The next step is a key one for Neymar but the player's father has requested that he holds off on retirement and continues playing.

In a social media message, Neymar da Silva Santos wrote: "And it is precisely because I believe this that I want to make a fatherly request of you. Son, continue playing football. Rediscover the joy of having the ball at your feet. Rediscover the smile on the field. Today you are healthy. God has given you the opportunity again to do what you have always loved. Enjoy football."

Neymar is Brazil's record goalscorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances.