Dani Alves has sent his vote of thanks to the outgoing Brazil coach Tite following the Selecao's surprise World Cup elimination, declaring he was proud to have played under the tactician.
The five-time winners suffered a surprise quarter-final exit on Friday, losing 4-2 to Croatia in a penalty shoot-out after Bruno Petkovic cancelled out Neymar's opening goal late in extra time.
Dani Alves did make history though, as he became Brazil's oldest player to feature at the World Cup during their group-stage defeat to Cameroon earlier this month (aged 39 years and 210 days). However, he was an unused substitute as Tite's side slipped to a second consecutive last-eight exit.
Tite had revealed back in February that he would step down as Brazil manager regardless of how their World Cup campaign ended, and despite the pain of Friday's defeat, Alves remains grateful for the 61-year-old's work with the team.
Alves thanks Tite
Writing on Instagram alongside an image of the pair embracing, Alves said: "This hug is the purest meaning of what you represent to me and to this group of special human beings.
"Special for their particularities, for their character, for their humility and above all, for the stories of overcoming difficulties and for the great souls that exist behind the small screen.
"There are some medals you don't wear on your chest, but on your soul, and this is one.
"Thank you for teaching us how to be men, children, friends, brothers and human beings. It may be that what we have today has no value, or it may be that there are still beings who still believe how valuable and important it is.
"This is our last trip here, and I can tell you; I would not change a thing. I wish you all the wonderful and purest things in this life and the next.
"May you have the peace that I will also take with me. The peace of duty fulfilled and mission accomplished. The result of a game will never change the score of our lives.
"With great affection and respect, thank you for all these years together in the promise of representing the best country in the world."
Only fellow full-backs Cafu (143) and Roberto Carlos (127) have won more senior caps for Brazil than Alves (126), and the Barcelona great is under no illusions that his own association with the World Cup is over.
However, he hopes the same is not the case for Neymar, who refused to give any specifics on his international future in the aftermath of the Selecao's defeat.
Speaking after Friday's game, Alves told reporters: "This World Cup was my last one. For me, it's time to say that. But I don't think it will be the same for Neymar. He's great, Brazilian football needs him to keep going."
