RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- What a way to go out.
Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. put together something only a legend could Saturday, leading his homeland to Summer Games glory by beating Germany in the gold-medal match.
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1 of 3 | Brazil's midfielder Neymar turns to the crowd after the team defeated Germany in an overtime shoot-out in the Men's Gold Medal soccer match at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 20, 2016. Brazil defeated Germany in 5-4 in overtime penalty kicks. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
First, he scored the team's first goal in the 27th minute. Germany leveled the game at 1-1 in minute 58. Then the legend returned by netting the final penalty kick in extra time, sending MaracanĂ£ into figurative flames.
Now Neymar is stepping down from his role as the Brazilian captain. The 24-year-old soccer sensation was named Brazil's captain in 2014.
On a night of huge success, Neymar refused to speak to any media in the press conference or the mixed zone. Interesting.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) August 21, 2016
"I do not take it as a burden, it is you [the media] who put it on me," Neymar said in an interview with SporTV after the game.
"Today I have become a champion and I give up the captain's armband. It was something I received and honored with affection."
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"It was an honor to be captain, but from today I stop being captain. I will send a message to [senior coach] Tite that from now he can look for another captain."
He refused to speak with other media outlets, as noted by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.
