Neymar hits back at critics after tears in Costa Rica match

Brazil scored twice in stoppage time to move top of Group E but Neymar, who got involved in discussions with the referee and was awarded a penalty that was rescinded by the VAR, looked emotionally frail throughout, often gesticulating and falling down when tackled.

The world's most expensive player scored Brazil's second stoppage-time goal and was in tears at the full-time whistle.

And he took to Twitter and Instagram after the match to hit back at his critics. He said: "Not everyone knows what I went through to get here.

"Even parrots can talk, but walking the walk… not everyone does it. I cried out of happiness, overcoming, grit and desire to win.

"Things were never easy in my life, so why would they be now? The dream – no, the OBJECTIVE – is still alive. Congratulations for the performance, guys.”

Brazil's coach Tite also commented on his players tears, suggesting they could be down to the huge pressure of leading the five-times world champions.

"The joy, the satisfaction, and the pride of representing the Brazilian national team is a lot," Tite told reporters.

"He has the responsibility, the joy, the pressure and the courage to show it. We each show it in our own way."

"He was three-and-a-half months out (with injury) and he played the full match," Tite added, referring to the foot injury that kept the Paris St Germain player on the sidelines between February and June.

"He is a human being, he needs time to reach his high standards again but before that there is a team that needs to be strong and not dependent on him. Is he going to be back to his best? Yes, he is going to be back to his best."