Brazil's early World Cup 2026 exit leaves Neymar despondent

Brazil was knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup earlier than expected, sparking widespread disappointment among fans and players. Star forward Neymar expressed deep frustration after the loss, saying the tournament ended in tears for him and highlighting the unfulfilled expectation that he would succeed legends Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the same time, commentators and fans have linked the tournament's surprising results – including Portugal's elimination, Lionel Messi's record‑breaking penalty miss and Ecuador's upset victories – to the period of Mercury retrograde. Astrology enthusiasts claim the planetary motion explains communication errors, impulsive decisions and unexpected outcomes on the pitch, but experts note there is no scientific evidence supporting such a connection. The World Cup’s host nation, the United States, also saw its own team depart, underscoring the overall sense of chaos that has characterized this edition of the competition.