Neymar said Saturday he was “psychologically destroyed” by
Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup in a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia
and admitted it hurt more than any other loss in his career.
The 30-year-old scored a superb individual effort to equal
Pele’s record goalscoring haul of 77 goals for the Selecao in Friday’s match
that finished 1-1 after extra time.But he never got to take a spot kick in the
shootout that Croatia won 4-2 to move into the semi-finals.
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 inspiring us. I will continue punching the air with
happiness with every goal you score, as I have done in every game I’ve seen you
on the pitch.”
Pele, who was hospitalised earlier this month during
treatment for colon cancer, congratulated Neymar for equalling his goalscoring
record.
“I learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy
grows,” Pele wrote.
“My record was set almost 50 years ago, and no one has been
able to get close to it until now. You made it, my boy. That adds to the
greatness of your achievement.”
AFP
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