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Neymar is a 'very special kid who I hope doesn't lose his joy', says Thiago Silva as Chelsea defender sends emotional support to his Brazil team-mate after he claimed he may not 'have the strength of mind to deal with football any more'

Thiago Silva has leapt to the defence of Neymar in a passionate show of support after his Brazil team-mate intimated that next year's Qatar World Cup will be his last as he he doesn't know if he has the 'strength of mind to deal with football' much longer.

Neymar and Silva have been international team-mates for 11 years - with the latter playing in the former's debut in a friendly against the USA in 2010. They were also team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain for three seasons together before Silva left for Chelsea last August.