Neymar rushed to console Japanese star Ao Tanaka after a costly mistake led to Japan's FIFA World Cup elimination.
On Monday, Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 to reach the round of 16.
What happened?
The mistake occurred in the 96th minute at Houston Stadium, where Ao Tanaka lost possession deep in his own defensive third under Brazil's press.
The aftermath
Bruno Guimarães pounced, slipping it to Gabriel Martinelli, and Japan's World Cup dream was over.
Neymar, who knows such heartbreaks all too well, walked straight toward Tanaka.
Alongside Matheus Cunha and reserve goalkeeper Weverton, Neymar lifted the Japanese midfielder off the ground and offered a few words of encouragement.
Why it matters for Neymar
Neymar's actions showed empathy towards Tanaka, drawing from his own experiences of heartbreak in the World Cup.
In 2022, Neymar posted on Instagram: "I am psychologically destroyed" after Brazil's quarterfinal penalty shootout loss to Croatia.
Tanaka remained inconsolable, unable to get over the last-minute fumble.
He had entered the field in the 78th minute, with Brazil pushing for a second goal that would seal a win.
What comes next?
Japan's loss was another painful chapter in their World Cup knockout story, having been knocked out five times in the World Cup's knockout stage.
Neymar's words of encouragement may not change that record, but they must have been the right words at the right time.
The bigger picture also housed the fact that Japan simply couldn’t get out of their own half for the final 15 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti's side had them pinned back and never let them out.
Neymar's experience of standing in that darkness made his words more meaningful.
He had felt like attending his own funeral after the 2022 loss, saying "I saw what my funeral would be like."
That’s the reservoir of pain he was drawing from when he walked across the pitch toward Tanaka.
On Monday, Brazil's win marked a significant step forward in the FIFA World Cup.