Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos’ penalty shootout miss against Croatia last month put an end to the Brazil national team’s 2022 FIFA World Cup aspirations. Brazil entered the World Cup as one of the heavy favorites to win the competition for the sixth time in its history, but in the end, the Selecao once again failed to even reach the semifinal round of the sport’s biggest tournament.
Marquinhos took the defeat hard, but he has since been feeling “better and better.” After PSG’s Ligue 1 away loss to RC Lens (via RMC Sport), the veteran center-back took some time to reflect on Brazil’s exit from the World Cup.
“Our life as a footballer is like that, there are many emotions, good and bad,” Marquinhos said.
“The experience gives you even more intelligence to handle moments like that. It was hard. … Losing a World Cup like that was really hard. Two days, three days, six days… afterward, with the family, with time, with work, it passes. Today, I feel better and better.”
Marquinhos spent plenty of time with his family after the World Cup, and he later returned to PSG last month to begin preparations for the second half of the club season.
Marquinhos had his fair share of highs and lows in PSG’s last two fixtures, including his own goal in its Ligue 1 home fixture against RC Strasbourg last week.