The Brazil star wiped away tears as he described fears he would be paralysed after Zuniga kneed him in the back during Colombia's 2-1 FIFA World Cup loss to the hosts.
Neymar, 22, said he was unable to accept the challenge which fractured his vertebra, but is grateful his career is still alive.
"I was blessed in that situation because it wasn't more serious. Two more centimetres up and, well, I could be in a wheelchair. So it is really difficult," he told a news conference on Thursday.
He added: "It happened at such an important point in my career.
"I won't say he came to injure me, I don't what was going on in his head but everyone who understands football can see that it wasn't a normal challenge.
"When you want to foul someone to stop a game or stop a counter-attack, you kick their ankles, you push, you pull, but the way the ball was falling, it wasn't a normal game situation."
"He (Messi) has won almost everything and I think he deserves to be champion and I am cheering for him to be champion," he said.
"He is my team-mate and my friend."
