World Cup exit has “psychologically devastated” me —Neymar
Neymar acknowledged that the loss to Croatia in the World Cup penalty shootout left him “psychologically wrecked” and that it hurt more than any other defeat in his career.
In Friday’s game, which ended 1-1 after extra time, the 30-year-old scored a spectacular individual goal to tie Pele’s record-setting total of 77 goals for the Selecao.
However, he was unable to participate in the shootout, which Croatia won 4-2 to advance to the semi-finals.
Brazil, the pre-tournament favorites, will now have to wait at least an additional four years to win their sixth World Cup; their most recent triumph occurred in 2002.
I’ve been psychologically wrecked. The loss that rendered me helpless for 10 minutes after the game and caused me to sob uncontrollably is undoubtedly what has devastated me the most, Neymar wrote on Instagram.
Unfortunately, it will continue to ache for a very long time.
Neymar said that he may have played his final international game for Brazil shortly following Brazil’s defeat, but Pele urged him to “keep motivating us.”
On Instagram, the 82-year-old expressed his wish that the star striker would continue to compete and added that goal-scoring records could never compare to the honor of representing Brazil.
You and I both understand that nothing compares to the satisfaction of serving our nation,” Pele wrote.
“I’m 82 years old, and I hope that after all this time, I’ve somehow motivated you to come this far. Your legacy is still being formed.
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 approximately 50 years ago.”
No one has been able to come close to breaking my record since I set it almost 50 years ago. You succeeded, my boy. That raises the significance of your accomplishment.
AFP
