Neymar has started opening up in a new way over recent weeks. The Brazil star has been updating his own YouTube channel, offering fans a closer look at his daily life.
The content focuses on his routine and behind-the-scenes preparation for Santos matches. It also provides a platform for him to address narratives that often surround his career.
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That context matters, especially as debate continues in Brazil over his potential absence from the next World Cup. Neymar is now using his own voice to shape those conversations.
In his latest video, Neymar revisited one of the most painful moments of his career: Brazil’s quarter-final elimination to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.
Brazil were leading 1-0 in extra time after the former Barcelona star scored a brilliant goal, but Croatia equalised with just minutes remaining before going on to win on penalties.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Neymar delivered a striking comparison.
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“Honestly, the Croatia game it felt like I had died. We went to the hotel after the game. Man, it was like the world had ended I was seeing my family members one by one. It was like The Walking Dead, you know?” he continued.
Neymar added: “Everyone walked past me, everyone was very serious, they would look at me like ‘what a pity’. It was crazy, I swear, I saw my own funeral play out. I swear to God. I was sitting there in this room, like this, and people would come in one by one, my family members kept coming in. Everyone sort of had swollen eyes, everyone would come to greet me, but wouldn’t say a word.
“I sat there for about five minutes, looking around and nobody said a thing, everyone around me, just staring, you know? And I thought: ‘Man, it feels like I’m inside a coffin.’”
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Another major talking point from that night centred on Neymar’s absence in the shootout. Brazil were eliminated without their best penalty taker stepping up.
Neymar explained that decision in the video. He insisted he has always taken the fifth penalty, which he considers the most difficult one.
In his view, that approach remains correct, even if the situation in Qatar meant he never got the chance to take his kick.
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