Neymar continues to struggle to come to terms with Brazil’s World Cup exit, saying that he “still hurts like hell from loss”.
Pre-tournament favourites Brazil were bundled out of the World Cup by Croatia 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 following extra time.
Neymar, who scored a brilliant goal in extra-time but did not take a spot kick in the 4-2 penalty shoot-out loss, wrote on Instagram on Saturday that he was “psychologically destroyed” by the loss and doubled down on that with another post on Sunday upon his return to his homeland.
“On Brazilian soil… still hurts like hell from loss, we were so close, so close,” Neymar wrote. “Unfortunately or fortunately I still haven’t learned to lose. Defeats make me stronger, but they hurt me too much and I’m still not used to it.
“Anyway, we have to move on… life moves us on, even if it hurts and the hurt takes time to heal, we have to move on.
“Once again I want to thank the Brazilian people for their support and affection. Hearing from you that we fought, delivered until the end comforts a little of our pain.
“Thank you Qatar for everything. The cup was beautiful and she had to be from Brazil to crown it all, but by God’s destiny it wasn’t.”
