Neymar ‘psychologically destroyed’ by World Cup exit

DOHA: Neymar said Saturday he was “psychologically destroyed” by Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup in a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia and admitted it hurt more than any other loss in his career. The 30-year-old scored a superb individual effort to equal Pele’s record goalscoring haul of 77 goals for the Selecao in Friday’s match that finished 1-1 after extra time. But he never got to take a spot kick in the shootout that Croatia won 4-2 to move into the semifinals.

Pre-tournament favorites Brazil must now wait at least another four years to win their sixth World Cup — their last dates back to 2002.  “I am psychologically destroyed. It is definitely the defeat which has hurt me the most, which left me paralyzed for ten minutes after the match, after which I burst into tears without being able to stop,” Neymar said in an Instagram message. “It is going to hurt for a very long time, unfortunately,” he added.

Neymar said immediately after Brazil crashed out that he might have played his last match for his country — but Pele urged him to “keep inspiring us.” The 82-year-old said on Instagram he hoped the superstar forward would carry on playing, adding that goalscoring achievements were no match for the honor of representing Brazil. “You know, as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing our country,” Pele wrote. “I’m 82 years old, and after all this time, I hope I’ve inspired you in some way to get this far....