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Rodrygo was one of the Brazilian players who cried the most following the defeat to Croatia. The 21-year-old missed Brazil's first kick in the penalty shootout that brought the Canarinha closer to elimination.
Then, Marquinhos missed the fourth kick which sealed their fate. After the elimination, Rodrygo's Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric tried to console him, and 24 hours later, the Brazilian sent a message out on social media.
"I'm sorry. It's without a doubt the most painful moment of my career, from heaven to hell in a matter of minutes, it was exactly how I always asked for it not to be," Rodrygo said.
"I know EVERYTHING PASSES and although at the moment I still don't have the strength to get up, I'm sure I'll be back, I don't know how, but I'll be back and much stronger.
"Only brilliant minds go through certain trials, it certainly wouldn't be any different with me, 21 years, nothing has been easy so far and it won't be, but it will be worth it!"
"Thank you to everyone who encouraged us and believed in us, thank you my God for everything and sorry for being ungrateful after all you have done for me, I keep asking myself why me, why did it have to be this way?
"Only those who were with me saw everything I went through during this year to get to the World Cup, but why did it end like this?"
"I can't understand it, but then I start to remember everything and I see that I can't complain about anything and I'm still giving my best in everything as I always did!
"Once again, thank you all and in 2026 everything will be different, I still believe that we will still be very happy! This generation is very good, it deserves and needs to be crowned. Beloved Homeland, Brazil."