He was reduced to floods of tears after his team was thrashed 7-1 by Germany on home soil in a result that broke Brazilian hearts.
But after Brazil captain David Luiz wept uncontrollably in the wake of his team’s devastating capitulation in the World Cup semi-finals, he has received some welcome support – in the form of an adorable letter from a young fan.
The former Chelsea defender, wearing the skipper’s armband in the absence of Thiago Silva, cried as he said ‘I just wanted to see my people smile’ after Brazil’s hopes of winning the tournament on home turf were dashed in humiliating fashion.
But his show of emotion after the final whistle had blown, prompted nine-year-old Ana Luz to pen him a letter – telling him not to be sad.
The child even showed he was still her sporting hero by drawing a small picture of him holding a trophy aloft.
Luiz, 27, who left Chelsea for Parish St Germain earlier this summer, was so touched by the letter that he posted it on Instagram.
Brazil’s World Cup campaign will come to an end tonight after they face the Netherlands in a third place play-off at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.
The tournament finally reaches its climax tomorrow when Argentina take on Germany in the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro.