We’ve slipped behind Germany, Spain: Neymar

Brazil forward Neymar believes the Seleção have fallen behind other nations in light of their bitter World Cup campaign.

He has also refused to put any blame on former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"I think Brazilian football is behind. It's behind Germany and Spain. We've slipped behind and we have to be man enough to admit it," he said in an interview with Globo television on Sunday.

The five-time winners went out of the competition in a record 7-1 devastation against Germany, eventually crowned the champions, in the semi-final at the Estádio Mineirão.

The humiliation was followed by a 3-0 rout by the Netherlands in the third-place decider.

Neymar, however, had already suffered a fractured vertebrae that forced him to miss those two matches.

In the quarter-final against Colombia, the Barcelona star took a knee in the back by Juan Camilo Zuniga that left his and the Brazilian’s dream of a 'Hexa' in tatters.

Although he later accepter the Colombian’s apology, he described the challenge as a "move that had nothing to do with football".

Scolari, Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach, resigned after the hosts' feeble show at the final stages of the competition.

Neymar has refused to hold anything against 'Big Phil'.

"I had a leader (who was) one of the best Brazilians coaches I've had, " he said.

Scolari faced harsh criticism, by former greats, over his selection of the Brazil squad. Neymar stood by the former coach in this case too.

The 22-year-old said he would have chosen the same players for the final squad.

Neymar also rejected any idea the team could have trained more or been sharper.

"We always trained... we gave our all."

Additionally, their striker Fred had a forgettable performance throughout the campaign and subsequently signed off from international football.

The Seleção's golden boy, residing in Sao Paulo at the moment, will head to Barcelona to join his club early next month.

Barca have said the final stages of his recovery will take place at the Catalan club.

Brazil are now looking to revamp their footballing structures and are set to re-appoint former coach Dunga to prepare for their next tournament, the 2015 Copa America in Chile.