Twitter's Mourning the World Cup's Poster Boy

Sure, we were gutted when Team U.S.A. lost to Belgium on Tuesday, but we pulled through, we managed to see the bright side. And that bright side was the World Cup's poster boy, Brazil's jazzy-haired Neymar da Silva Santos Junior. Friday brought a heart-wrenching turn of events, though, when Neymar was injured, meaning he will no longer play in the tournament. Deep breaths, guys. Deep breaths.

In case you were too busy being thwacked by Hurricane Arthur or watching the fireworks, Brazil played in the quarter-finals against Colombia on Friday. Towards the end of the game — which Brazil won 2-1 — Colombia's Juan Zuniga kneed the star striker in the back. Neymar crashed to the ground, and was soon carried out on a stretcher. A few hours later, Brazil's team doctor confirmed that Neymar suffered a fractured vertebra, and was out.

Brazil loves Neymar, we love Neymar, the whole world — if Twitter is anything to go by — loves Neymar. The 22-year-old soccer star has already had 54 caps and 35 goals, making him one of Brazil's all-time top goal scorers, and their best chance at winning the Cup. Writes former England manager Glenn Hoddle in his column for williamhill.com:

This was not the Brazil of the 1970s or the '80s. Luiz Felipe Scolari is playing it very tight and the team are relying on magic from Neymar.If Neymar isn't pulling the strings then Brazil look a very ordinary team.

Let's not forget, he's also got super funky hair and a fun-loving personality.

Though the team will go on to their first semi-final since 2002, Brazil has now lost their star player. The grief on Twitter has been almost palpable: teammates, fans and even heads of state have taken to social media to express their sadness. Said Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Twitter: "All our support to @neymarjr! #ForcaNeymar." Brazil forward João Alves de Assis Silva (commonly known as Jo), tweeted: "We had a great victory but also a great loss. Very hard @neymarjr, we are with you always mate!"

Some fans, on the other hand, were outraged with the Napoli defender who injured Neymar, with "Zuniga" trending on Twitter as fans threatened violence in revenge. Many more were simply saddened, though. No matter what happens now — even if Brazil wins the cup — Neymar was the guy with frosted tips who got them there.

We feel you, guys. We feel you.