Neymar and Co. misfired as Belgium beat Brazil 2-1 in an enthralling quarter-final on Friday night.
Brazil forward Neymar (Photo: AFP)
Brazil superstar Neymar has opened up about his country’s exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, calling the 1-2 loss to Belgium the saddest moment of his career in a heartfelt Instagram post.
The world’s most expensive footballer of all time was expected to lead the five-time champions to an unprecedented sixth title in Russia, but the PSG sticker never truly showed up for his country.
Coming into the quadrennial tournament nursing an ankle injury, Neymar was not 100 percent and while Philippe Coutinho shouldered the responsibility in the initial stages, Belgium proved to be a bridge too far for the Samba Boys.
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Brazil’s No.10 was all over the back pages across the world, not for his goalscoring exploits, but for his histrionics on the pitch and he posted this on Instagram:
“I can say it’s the saddest moment of my career, the pain is too big because we knew we could get there, we knew we could go further, make history…but it wasn’t this time.
Hard to find the strength to want to go back to playing football but i’m sure God will give enough strength to face anything, so I will never stop thanking you God, even in defeat…because I know your path is much better.
I am very happy to be a part of this team, I am proud of all, our dream is interrupted but it did not take from our head or our hearts. ”
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While four years ago Neymar was powerless to prevent Brazil from slipping to a 1-7 defeat in the semi-finals at the hands of eventual champions Germany due to a back injury, this time round he can have no excuses.
By the time the 2022 FIFA World Cup comes by, Neymar will be 30 and it remains to be seen if he will still be the man to lead their title charge in Qatar.
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