Neymar has released a heart felt emotional message following Brazil’s knockout from the World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil, who were regarded as favourites, were eliminated by Croatia from the World Cup 4-2 on penalties after the game had tied 1-1 after extra time.
Neymar, who scored an outstanding goal in extra time but did not take a penalty kick in the 4-2 penalty shootout loss, wrote on Instagram on Saturday that the defeat had left him “psychologically destroyed” and reiterated that sentiment in a second post on Sunday after arriving back in his Brazil.
“On Brazilian soil… still hurts like hell from loss, we were so close, so close,” Neymar wrote. “Unfortunately or fortunately I still haven’t learned to lose. Defeats make me stronger, but they hurt me too much and I’m still not used to it.
“Anyway, we have to move on… life moves us on, even if it hurts and the hurt takes time to heal, we have to move on.
“Once again I want to thank the Brazilian people for their support and affection. Hearing from you that we fought, delivered until the end comforts a little of our pain.
“Thank you Qatar for everything. The cup was beautiful and she had to be from Brazil to crown it all, but by God’s destiny it wasn’t.”
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He added on Instagram: “We keep going… Now it’s to turn off the key, take advantage of family and friends, recharge energies because dealing with this defeat will be very difficult, it still hurts me A LOT! FAITH.”
Neymar also saved a special “open letter” post for Tite, the 61-year-old head coach of Brazil, who is leaving his position after the World Cup after serving in the position for six and a half years.
“I knew you as a coach and I already knew you were very good but as a person you are MUCH BETTER!,” Neymar wrote. “I come here to openly thank you for everything, all the teachings you’ve given us… and there were so many.
“You will always be one of the best coaches I’ve ever had or will have, I will always lift you up. We had beautiful moments but we also had moments that hurt us a lot and the latter will hurt us for a long time.
“You deserved to be crowned with this cup. We all deserved it for everything we did and for everything we gave up to try to achieve our biggest dream. But God didn’t want it that way, patience. God has given us EVERYTHING!”
