Fresh from his hospitalization for a fractured vertebrae he received during Brazil's quarterfinal match against Colombia, football star Neymar emerged to support his teammates and embattled coach Luis Felipe Scolari in the wake of the host nation's loss against Germany. On Tuesday, the entire soccer-loving country was sent to its knees when the Neymar and Thiago Silva-less national team was defeated in a record-shattering 7-1 loss by Germany.
In a press conference, Neymar's words would have been what Brazil fans had needed especially when he went out of the World Cup in a stretcher. Neymar revealed that he had forgiven Colombian player Juan Camilo Zuniga, whose knee had landed on his back in a collision that the Brazilian thought would have been the end of what would have been a long professional career.
"Zuniga called me a few days later to apologize and to tell me that he did not intend to hurt me,' Neymar said. 'I accept his apology, but I cannot consider that a normal action. I cannot say whether it was intentional, but everyone knows it wasn't normal. The way he came in, behind me, I couldn't defend myself. I thank God for helping me, because if that blow had been a few inches lower I would have risked being paralyzed," Neymar said while trying to hold back tears in his eyes.
FIFA has since cleared Zuniga over the incident.
On the other hand, Neymar is publicly asking for fans to applaud his team's efforts to fight off the Germans. He said, "What has happened is inexplicable. But even at 6-0, 7-0 down, they did not give up, they kept running, kept trying. I'm not ashamed to be Brazilian and I'm not ashamed to be part of this team. I am proud of every one of my team-mates."
The football star also took the opportunity to support Scolari, who has since been hounded by rumors of resignation after the loss. Moreover, Neymar seemed to have been distancing himself from his Wagner Ribeiro, who had went on a bizaare Twitter rant slamming Scolari, Daily Mail said.
"Scolari should stay as coach. I do not agree with what my agent Ribeiro said. He doesn't speak for me - only my father can speak on my behalf," Neymar clarified.
