Neymar to retire? I hope he doesn’t lose his joy of playing football – Brazil team-mate Thiago Silva

Brazil captain Thiago Silva said he hopes Neymar does not lose his joy of football after the Selecao star revealed the 2022 World Cup may be his last.

Neymar has dominated headlines since hinting next year’s Qatar showpiece could be his final hoorah with Brazil, having admitted he does not know if he has the “strength of mind to deal with football” much longer.

The 29-year-old has carried the weight of a nation amid criticism since bursting on the scene with Santos in 2009 before making his Brazil debut the following year.

Only Brazil great Pele (77) has scored more goals for the national team than Neymar (69), who has won the Confederations Cup (2013) with the South American powerhouse to go with an Olympic Games gold medal in 2016.

Silva leapt to the defence of Brazil team-mate Neymar in an emotional message of support.

Neymar misplaced 15 passes in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Colombia – his highest tally in a game this qualifying campaign.

“Here at the national team, I have gone through some moments that are very similar [with what Neymar is going through], especially after 2014 World Cup [7-1 semi-final loss to Germany following Neymar’s tournament-ending injury],” Silva told reporters, having also played alongside Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.

“I was called a crybaby, weak, very weak, mentally. These are things that hurt you and you know that you are not what you have been called.