Neymar thanks Tite in an open letter 

In a matter of three days, five-time champions Brazil got to see both sides of the coin as they came into their quarter-final clash against Croatia on the back of a 4-1 mauling of South Korea but then had to taste a bitter defeat against the 2018 runners-up that put an end to their mission Hexa.

The quarter-final exit prompted Brazilian coach Tite to step down from the role. The 61-year-old joined in celebrations in the South Korea game but had to suffer the disappointment of defeat on penalties against Zlatko Dalic's Croatia.

Despite the disappointing end, Brazil talisman Neymar only had appreciation for his national team coach as the Selecao number 10 took to Instagram to send an emotional open letter expressing his gratitude towards the Brazilian coach.

"Before we met in person, we played a lot against and can I tell you? I thought you were really annoying! Because you put together a team to tag me, you would do everything to beat me and you still spoke ill of me. But destiny is funny, huh?

"I knew you as a coach and I already knew you were very good but as a person, you are MUCH BETTER! You met me and you know who I am and that's what matters to me....

"I come here to openly thank you for everything, all the teachings you've given us... and there were so many. You will always be one of the best coaches I've ever had or will have, I will always hype you up."

"We had beautiful moments but we also had moments that hurt us a lot and the latter will hurt us for a long time. You deserved to be crowned with this cup," he added. "We all deserved it for everything we did and for everything we gave up to try to achieve our biggest dream. But God didn't want it that way, patience. God has given us EVERYTHING!

"Thank you professor Tite, for all the learnings.. and if there is a phrase that I will never forget is "MENTALLY STRONG" and we will have to be VERY at this moment! A big hug and THANK YOU," he wrote on Instagram.