Neymar’s World Cup exit has left him psychologically damaged.

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.  Neymar’s World Cup exit has left him psychologically damaged.

Neymar’s World Cup exit has left him psychologically damaged.

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.

Favorites entering the tournament Brazil’s wait for its sixth World Cup victory, their last being in 2002, must now extend for at least another four years.

“I’ve been psychologically wrecked. The defeat, which rendered me unconscious for ten minutes following the game and caused me to sob uncontrollably, is undoubtedly what has devastated me the most “Neymar stated in a post on Instagram.

Unfortunately, it will hurt for a very long time.

 

After Brazil lost, Neymar suggested he might have played his last game for his nation, but Pele pushed him to “keep inspiring 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 honour of representing Brazil.

You are aware, as I am, that nothing can compare to the pride in representing our nation.

“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. As I have done in every game I’ve watched you play. I will continue to celebrate every goal you score 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 increases the magnitude of your accomplishment.