Paris St-Germain star Neymar has shared messages he exchanged with Brazil teammates following their quarter-final exit from the ongoing World Cup. The message was to show how much him and his teammates wanted to win the World Cup and how united they are. At the weekend, the forward said he was psychologically destroyed by the defeat.
After the loss, Brazilian media suggested the team were not united. Neymar was set to take Brazil’s fifth penalty but misses by Rodrygo and Marquinhos meant their fate was already sealed and he never stepped up. The 30-year-old has subsequently revealed via Instagram that he sent messages of consolation to both players, as well as to veteran defender Thiago Silva.
He said: “I’m dropping by to say that I am your fan,” he told Marquinhos in one message. “One penalty will not change what I think about you. I am with you forever, and you know it. Love you.” 28-year-old Marquinhos replied him saying: “I wanted it all to have worked out – it’s dreadful to think that penalty was an obstacle in our dream! But let’s go, we need to be strong, give time some time, and see what football has in store for us.”
He also said: “Only we know what we went through to be here, what we went through those days over there, that’s why it really hurts, the weight is big, but God knows what He does. If he gave me this it’s because I can endure it and carry on.” Silva might not play in another World Cup as he is already 38.
Neymar reached out to the centre-back, saying: “We’re gonna have to keep going bro, sadly that’s how it is! I wanted a lot to give you this cup. You, me and Dani [Alves] deserved a lot… But God has our purpose and he knows everything.” The defender then replied him saying: “Brother, It’s harder than what I thought originally.” “I’m not holding up. I can’t believe we lost! Every hour that I remind myself makes me want to cry a lot…But I will be OK.”
And to 21-year-old Rodrygo, he wrote “Brother, I’m here to tell you that you’re amazing,” Neymar wrote. “The only people who miss penalties are the ones who take them. I already missed a lot in my career and I learned with all of them. But I never gave up, always tried to be better and improve in every way.”
Rodrygo replied him saying: “Thanks, my idol. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sorry for anything and for delaying your dream as well. I hope you can continue with us, so we can win together.”