Neymar acknowledged that Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup in a penalty shootout loss to Croatia hurt more than any previous setback in his career and claimed that it “psychologically devastated” him.
In Friday’s game, which ended 1-1 after extra time, the 30-year-old scored after an outstanding solo effort to tie Pele’s record goalscoring total of 77 for the Selecao.
However, he was unable to participate in the shootout, which Croatia won 4-2 to advance to the semi-finals.
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Pre-tournament favourites Brazil must now wait at least another four years to win their sixth World Cup —their last dates back to 2002.
“I am psychologically destroyed. It is definitely the defeat which has hurt me the most, which left me paralysed for ten minutes after the match, after which I burst into tears without being able to stop,” Neymar said in an Instagram message.
“It is going to hurt for a very long time, unfortunately,” he added.
Neymar said immediately after Brazil crashed out that he might have played his last match for his country — but Pele urged him to “keep inspiring us”.
The 82-year-old said on Instagram he hoped the superstar forward would carry on playing, adding that goalscoring achievements were no match for the honour of representing Brazil.
“You know, as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing our country,” Pele wrote. “I’m 82 years old, and after all this time, I hope I’ve inspired you in some way to get this far…. Your legacy is far from over.
Keep motivating us. Every time you score a goal, like I have done in every game I’ve seen you play, I will continue to celebrate by punching the air. Pele, who spent earlier this month in the hospital receiving treatment for colon cancer, praised Neymar for matching his record for goals scored.
I discovered that our legacy expands as time goes on, Pele wrote.
No one has been able to come close to my record, which I set about 50 years ago, until now. You succeeded, my boy. That raises the significance of your accomplishment.
