Are you kidding?! Neji's defeat at his hands was the first and final blow to his ego. Naruto free'd him from his cage of predetermined fate. Because of Naruto, Neji was able to realise, that his life was dictated by his own choices and he was free to make his own destiny as he saw fit. Neji's beliefs firmly lied in a fate that had already been set by nature, which could not be opposed, ever. It was his curse, a burden, on top of which he had no choice but to believe that his father suffered the same fate. His fight against Naruto compelled him to reveal those thoughts in the stadium. Hizashi, seeing this, finally told him the truth, after Naruto changed him. Neji respected Naruto greatly!