Netmar's first press conference after being hospitalised with a fractured vertebrae

Neymar, giving his first press conference after being hospitalised with a fractured vertebrae in Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final win over Colombia, also said he disagreed with his agent for calling coach Luiz Felipe Scolari 'a repulsive and conceited old jerk'.

Neymar also revealed Colombia defender Juan Zuniga had called him to apologise for the knee in the back that initially left him unable to feel his legs.

Neymar could not hold back the tears as he revealed he had come within a few inches of being paralysed

Neymar added that he could not conceive what had gone wrong in Brazil’s 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany.

Neymar 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.'

Brazil Coach Luis Felipe Scolari hugs Neymar as he drops in on Thursday July 10,2014 training session

Neymar is embraced by Marcelo as he returns to Brazil's training base in Teresopolis