Neymar 'struggling to find the strength to play' - and we can't quite believe it

Neymar has admitted that Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by Belgium was “the saddest moment of my career” and admits he is struggling to “find the strength to play again”.

The talismanic Paris Saint-Germain striker carried the hopes of a nation in Russia, despite not long having recovered from a broken metatarsal.

There was no doubt he lacked his usual sharpness and despite scoring two goals, he seemed more intent on haranguing officials and feigning injury throughout the tournament, rather than knuckling down to the task of delivering the trophy for the bookmakers’ pre-tournament favourites.

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In an Instagram post, he opined: “I can say that this is the saddest moment of my career.

‘It is incredibly painful because we knew we could get there, we knew we had conditions to go further, to make history.

‘But it was not this time. It’s hard to find the strength to play football again, but I’m sure God will give me strength enough to face anything, so I’ll never stop thanking God, even in defeat.

‘Because I know that your way is much better than mine I’m very happy to be part of this team, I’m proud of all, interrupted our dream but they didn’t get it out of our head and neither of our hearts.”

His “struggling to find the strength to play again” is true to his character. While he raises his eyes to the heavens and crosses his chest before each game, his general attitude is not one of Godliness, certainly towards officials. In fact, that pendulum swings far more towards petulance and arrogance.

His comments also smack of the spoilt brat. Neymar has cried wolf too many times to be believed and he certainly generated more headlines with his theatrics rather than his football at this tournament.

At 26, with extraordinary footballing talent, he has the world at his feet. Yet we can’t help but feel at that age, he really should have matured a little more.

While he almost snatched a dramatic leveller in the dying stages of the 2-1 defeat by Belgium, his effort at the end of the 90 minutes, tipped over the top by Thibaut Courtois, summed up his day, for he was largely an afterthought, so minimal was his contribution to the Selacao.

Neymar will certainly play again, despite his fishing-for-sympathy comments. Speculation continues to suggest that he could be the subject of another big-money move 12 months on from a record-breaking €222 million (£196m/$261m) switch to PSG.

He has been linked to Real Madrid, with the Blancos set to part with Christiano Ronaldo, who seems primed to head to Juventus.

A return to Spain for the former Barcelona striker seems more likely thank not. He’ll still make his millions, but until he sets a better example on how the game should be played, it is doubtful that anyone will feel much sympathy for him. Nor should they.