Intro:

Neymar was recovering at his home from a fractured vertebra on the same day as his Brazil teammates were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final.

Script:

Brazil knew they would miss him and my word they did. Neymar continues to recover from a fractured vertebra at his home, already practising headers but the World Cup semi-final with Germany came far too soon for their star man.

There was nothing he could do as his teammates were embarrassed by Germany, the game ended 7-1. Brazil manager Phil Scolari described it as the country's worst loss ever.

They tried to use losing Neymar as some sort of inspiration, but as the millions watching in Brazil saw, it didn't work.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Itamar (no family name given):

"I'm feeling a bit ashamed because they didn't play with any strength. They didn't really play with conviction. It was very shameful to lose at home 7-1. Nobody deserves this. It's ridiculous."

Neymar could play in another three World Cups but never again in his own country, It wasn't meant to be like this.